Port Pro of the Month: Zenonas Apostolou (CYP)
05 March 2025
Our port pro of the month is Zenonas Apostolou, Chairman of Cyprus Ports Authority (CPA). In the following sections, you will read more about Cyprus' ports, as well as the specific roles and challenges that come with being an island port. Discover more fascinating topics addressed by our port professional of the month below!
Zenonas Apostolou, Chairman of Cyprus Ports Authority (CPA).
Can you briefly tell us about Cyprus Ports, highlighting
its key features and current challenges?
The Cyprus Ports Authority (CPA) is one of the biggest
semi-governmental, autonomous organisations in the Republic of Cyprus. The CPA
regulates and oversees the operation of port activities in Cyprus but also
monitors marine traffic in the territorial waters surrounding Cyprus. We have
authority over the lighthouses, so we do invest a lot in the security of marine
traffic and are also responsible for the promotion of port activities.
The three major ports of the island are the Limassol port,
Larnaca port and Vasiliko port (Limassol port – Terminal 2). Both Limassol and
Larnaca ports serve most of the imports and exports of the country as well as
cruise and passenger vessels and the needs of the hydrocarbon industry.
Vasiliko port is the industrial port of the island and currently serves the
needs of the Vasiliko cement company and the handling of petroleum products and
other bulk cargo.
Since the commercialisation of the port services at Limassol
port, CPA’s role from being the landlord and operator of the ports has been
extended to the role of regulating and supervising all the port
activities.
In the current modern port environment, CPA’s main
characteristics for meeting the new challenges are adaptability, flexibility,
seriousness, discipline, awareness and conscientiousness in all aspects of the
planning of the strategic development plan, its implementation and its full
perception. The challenges we are engaged to meet include enhancing
energy efficiency and ensuring energy adequacy for the operation of port
facilities, developing strategies for the green transition, promoting circular
economy practices, and digitising our port activities. Additionally, we aim to
fully utilise the resources and potential of our ports while embracing the use
of new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Furthermore, one of the major challenges Cyprus Ports
Authority faces is effectively managing the transition from an operational role
to a regulatory role, particularly in light of the commercialisation of certain
port operations.
This shift not only requires a fundamental restructuring of
responsibilities but also necessitates the careful navigation of potential
conflicts arising from the coexistence of these dual roles within the same
organisation.
As we take on a stronger regulatory function, our focus
extends across critical areas such as environmental protection, health and
safety, navigational safety, and ensuring smooth operations within the port
sector. Balancing these responsibilities while fostering a competitive and
efficient port ecosystem requires robust frameworks, strategic oversight, and
the adoption of best practices.
Given the complexity of this transition, it is imperative for us to engage with international counterparts who have encountered and successfully addressed similar challenges.
What is your long-term vision for Cyprus Ports? What are
the main investment projects for the next few years? Can you briefly describe
the importance of these projects for both the port and the city?
Our long-term vision for Cyprus ports is to establish them
as the most modern, productive, competitive and safe ports in the South-eastern
Mediterranean, to serve Cypriot trade, the development of Transhipment Trade
and Cruises and to act as hub ports for serving the needs of the oil and gas
industry in the region.
Maritime transport has always been the dominant mode of
transport for serving European trade, both within the EU and with its trading
partners across the world. In our immediate region, the East
Mediterranean, because of the geopolitical situation, maritime transport is
simply the only alternative. The existence of an efficient maritime
transport network in our region, as a vehicle of economic growth and
prosperity, is of paramount importance.
In the case of Cyprus, an island economy, with almost 90% of
its trade being performed through its ports, maritime links are of paramount
importance. Cyprus being a peripheral, small and insular Member State of
the EU depends entirely on its ports for its trade, thus the development and
improvement of port infrastructures and the establishment of an efficient
transport system is high on the agenda of the Cyprus government, thus the
relevant support is expected and needed from the EU.
To accomplish our vision and goals, we have introduced two main investment projects; the expansion of Latchi port and the construction of the new industrial port of Vasiliko. Through these investments we are aiming to increase our port infrastructure and enhance the efficiency of our port activities, thus contributing significantly to the country’s economy and trade as well as creating benefits and development prospects to the surrounding local societies.
Kiti Lighthouse © Cyprus Ports Authority
We read about the expansion of the Port of Vasiliko into
a large-scale industrial hub. Please, could you further explain us this
project? What will be the impact of such initiative for the port?
With regards to the project “IMPACT”, we are aware that CPA submitted a proposal under Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for funding on 21 January 2025. Please could you further explain the objective of this project? What will be the impact of such initiative for the port and city? (Below answer to both questions)
Vasiliko Port (Limassol port - Terminal 2) is a core port on
the Baltic Sea - Black Sea - Aegean Sea, Western Balkans - Eastern
Mediterranean corridors of the Trans-European Network - Transport (TEN-T) and
one of the main port installations of national importance in the Republic of
Cyprus. The port will be upgraded and expanded to enhance the port’s capacity
and efficiency and remove bottlenecks associated with the increased traffic and
cargo handling of new bulk dry cargo. It will also cover the needs of the
energy industry, the mooring of various types of cargo vessels, and other port
services, i.e. offshore wind, support to LNG-FSRU terminal, EastMed pipeline
and Oil & Gas industry in the region of the Eastern Mediterranean that
contribute to the energy independence of the Republic of Cyprus and of the EU.
Relevant application/proposal named IMPACT has been
submitted for funding to the CEF, that covers the materialisation of phase A of
the port’s upgrade and expansion. Through this project CPA will contribute
strategically to the expansion and improvement of the quality of transport
services provided in the island, to the development of the region’s internal
interconnections that are vital to regional development and economic cohesion,
and to the improvement of safe conditions in transport as well as to the integration
of the various means of transport into transport networks.
Further to the above, the proposed project is critical to upgrade the port operational capacity, remove bottlenecks and increase safety within the port, but also it is a precondition for the general development of the economy of Republic of Cyprus and the EU, as a southern gateway to the Orient/East-Med Corridor of the TEN-T. Due to the importance of the port to the wider transport network, CPA has set the provision of high-quality services as one of its strategic goals. This is to be achieved within the context of the creation of a sustainable ecological environment with high economic efficiency, with the port seeking to improve port interoperability in transport, logistics, services, and the integrated industrial system.
Cyprus Ports are strategically located at the crossroads
of Europe, Asia, and Africa, with major ports in the Mediterranean Sea. Could
you elaborate on how this strategic location benefits businesses and shipping
operations?
Cyprus is commercially benefited from being positioned, in
the crossroad of three continents (Europe, Asia and Africa). Over the years
this strategic position has benefited Cyprus ports, especially for serving
transit trade mainly in the 1980s and early 1990s, before the introduction of
the Turkish embargo.
Today this amazing benefiting geostrategic positioning is
the main tool guiding the strategic planning of the Cyprus Ports Authority and
of its collaborators in developing and enhancing further our ports and the port
services and transforming our ports as the most important regional transhipment
centres. Our ports are providing faster access to European, Asian, and African
markets, thus reducing transit times and to this end free trade zones have been
created, providing efficient logistics and multimodal transport links.
This geopolitical advantage that Cyprus enjoys, undoubtedly brings potential synergies that can take place and could result in an increase of the port’s general cargo traffic and to transform out terminals as important shore-based logistics support hubs that will efficiently serve the port needs of the hydrocarbon industry and of the large amount of energy commodities that lie at the East Mediterranean Sea. In order to achieve this task, together with our collaborators we have been engaging with key players of the energy industry to attract immediate investment and business to our ports. We have also been continuously investing in the ports, to develop our terminal infrastructure and superstructure to accommodate the emerging hydrocarbon industry.
European ports are increasingly investing in digital
solutions to improve the efficiency of the logistics chain and port operations.
Have Cyprus Ports taken any initiatives towards digitalisation?
Digitalisation is one of the key pillars we work on to
enhance efficiency, reduce waiting times and improve the security of
information disseminated to all users. We started by implementing a very
pioneering system, the Port Community System (PCS), which consists in the full
digitalisation of the operations, of all the port operations in one system.
Users are given access to upload their formalities, their itineraries, announce
their arrivals and departures, and all their port activities. All the activities
and services have been digitalised in a single window, in a single system where
all port users and government authorities have access to all relevant
information. PCS is the digitalisation tool that has also replaced the daily
port meetings that were held back in 2015. This was one of the biggest
digitalisation projects that has been performed back in 2016, and it was
another pioneering thing that the CPA has accomplished.
We invested about €4 million to introduce this system as a
facilitator of the port services. We have also the Vessel Traffic System (VTS)
which is like the radar system you find in airports. The VTS is run by the
Cyprus Ports Authority for the safeguarding of the navigation in the
territorial waters and the in-and-out of the vessels in the port.
Our plans are to expand the digital twin technology, to enhance transparency through blockchain and to introduce AI-driven analytics.
Larnaca Port © Cyprus Ports Authority
What environmental issues are considered a priority for
Cyprus Ports?
The EU aims to have a climate-neutral economy by 2050.
Are you setting also your own climate goals? How can Cyprus Ports also be part
of the solution and contribute to decarbonise the surrounding economy and
society?
The greening of a port requires the help of all port
stakeholders. In this sense, how can Cyprus Ports encourage all stakeholders to
make their operations more sustainable in order to achieve a greener
port?
The main objective of the Cyprus Ports Authority is to
become a pioneer in port activities related to the green transition, through
the implementation of an integrated "ecosystem" supporting the
sectors of green development and the blue economy.
Taking into consideration the objectives of the "Cyprus
Tomorrow" Strategy, which is based, among other things, on the
transformation of Cyprus into a sustainable business and commercial hub of
Europe, CPA should undertake specific actions regarding, among other things,
the protection of the marine environment from oil pollution, the use of
electric vehicles within port areas, the installation of Renewable Energy
Sources systems in port areas under the auspices of CPA, digitalisation to
monitor the implementation of sustainable, green development goals and the
creation of maritime accelerators for the modern implementation of our
policies.
Areas of interest include green mobility, green technology,
port management, supply chain, waste management and pollution management.
The need to counteract climate change for the benefit of
sustainable development and the cohesion of the economy and society should be
fully understood. The green future is based, among other things, on
circularity, cooperation, resilience, opportunities and mutual support.
The Cyprus Ports Authority, together with our stakeholders, is committed to contributing to sustainable development by identifying key interactions by taking all feasible and practical measures to continuously improve our environmental performance and to minimise environmental pollution.
Our commitments include implementing and maintaining an effective Environmental Management System in line with European and local regulations, identifying and assessing the environmental impact of our actions, and applying necessary measures to prevent, reduce, or eliminate negative effects. We continuously evaluate and improve our environmental performance while ensuring full compliance with environmental laws related to port operations, including regulations like Fit for 55, which aims to decarbonise industries, including ports. We establish a system to review the goals and effectiveness of the port’s environmental management system and enhance its environmental impact. Additionally, we develop environmental training for employees, contractors, and associates to ensure effective system implementation and apply all necessary measures to prevent accidents with potential environmental consequences. We encourage all port operators and users, regardless of their size or sector, to adopt an Environmental Management System and minimise their environmental impact. Lastly, we provide recommendations to support efforts in improving port environmental performance for all individuals involved in port activities.
Limassol Ports © Cyprus Ports Authority
Could you explain how you began your career in maritime
transport and the professional journey that led you to your current position?
My career in the port industry began with my first
appointment by the Council of Ministers as a member of the Board of Directors
of the CPA, serving from May 30,2019, to July 22, 2021. On January 30, 2024, I
was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of the CPA.
Our motto as the newly appointed CPA’s Board of Directors is to work through our vision-driven leadership, to define key milestones and be active in the development of our ports into efficient peripheral hubs in the East Mediterranean. We will do our o-utmost to shape the future of our ports and together with the Organisation’s management, we always work fostering/enhancing transparency and openness. We want to demonstrate our expertise and understanding, and to implement the Government’s port policy, while ensuring compliance to the laws and regulations that we have from the European Union, from IMO Conventions and other regulatory frameworks to our work.
Finally, if you had to bring us to your favourite spot in one of the ports you manage, where would you take us?
My favourite spot, I would say, is the lighthouse at Cape Kiti, near the port of Larnaca. Looking out to the sea from the lighthouse, I am in awe as I contemplate the history of sea navigation on my island, from the depths of centuries to the present day and the future, both near and distant. The serene landscape soothes my mind and as the lighthouse is adjacent to the Port of Larnaca, one of the major ports of Cyprus, it makes one realise how much the geographical location of the island has determined —and continues to determine—our ports as important centres of trade and tourism in the Mediterranean.
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