Larnaca residents protest to demand progress on port and marina development

On April 29, hundreds of residents and local officials held a protest at the Larnaca port entrance, located on Meli Nikolaidi Street, to demand an immediate development plan for the city's port, marina, and surrounding land. The mobilization was unanimously approved by the City and District Development Committee on April 17, following two years of stagnation since the contract termination with Kition Ocean Holdings. Mayor Andreas Vyras and local leaders expressed strong opposition to any industrial use of the port, advocating instead for tourism-oriented development and commercial usage consistent with plans submitted to the Ministry of Transport on June 29, 2023. Officials explicitly rejected government proposals that would limit the scope of the land development solely to port and nautical facilities. Stakeholders emphasized that further studies and delays are unacceptable, highlighting the potential danger of failing to develop the land alongside the maritime infrastructure. The protesters are also concerned about the lack of progress on the construction of the Yacht Club and recent master plan delays.