Cyprus Ports Authority Chairman Zenonas Apostolou discusses the CPA’s evolving role and how new sustainability requirements and digitalisation goals are driving it to adapt internally.
After being the owner and operator of the island’s ports for many years, the Cyprus Ports Authority has now taken on a more supervisory role. How would you describe this transformation?
Traditionally, the Cyprus Ports Authority (CPA) directly managed port activities while exercising regulatory responsibilities. Since the commercialisation of Limassol port in 2017 and the wider liberalisation of port services, the CPA has undergone a fundamental transition towards a supervisory and regulatory role. This shift required strengthening compliance, monitoring and risk management frameworks to ensure that safety, environmental protection and public-interest obligations were safeguarded, as private operators pursue both efficiency and profitability. At the same time, the change has enabled the CPA to focus strategically on its core mission: ensuring transparency, aligning port practices with international standards and enhancing Cyprus’ standing as a safe and reliable maritime hub. In short, commercialisation has transformed the CPA from an operator into a regulator, with its contribution to port risk management now more crucial than ever, particularly in the context of Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) and the growing demands of both commercial and naval mobility.
How does the Cyprus Ports Authority balance PPPs and foreign investment with the need to maintain strategic national control over critical infrastructure?
The Cyprus Ports Authority (CPA) pursues a balanced approach between openness to investment and safeguarding strategic autonomy. Recognising that foreign capital can accelerate innovation, the green transition and connectivity, the CPA stresses that investment must generate sustainable value creation for Cyprus and the EU, rather than delivering one-sided benefits to investors. In this respect, the CPA echoes the ESPO call for a coordinated EU-wide FDI screening mechanism, ensuring robust safeguards against undue influence while maintaining Europe’s openness to credible partners. The CPA prioritises strategic investors who contribute to long-term competitiveness by enhancing infrastructure, reinforcing logistics and supply chains, advancing digitalisation and supporting the energy transition. Transformative initiatives such as the India–Middle East–Europe Corridor (IMEC) illustrate the kind of projects that can establish Cyprus as a resilient hub linking Europe with Asia and India. This policy ensures that Public–Private Partnerships and foreign investments are aligned with national interests, EU strategic priorities and mutual benefit.
The EU has set ambitious targets for decarbonisation and energy efficiency. How are Cyprus’ ports adapting to meet these demands and what steps are being taken to create green port facilities?
The CPA aims to become a pioneer in port activities, focusing on the green transition through the creation of an ecosystem supporting green growth and the blue economy. In line with the Government’s strategy, which envisions Cyprus as a sustainable business and commercial centre in Europe, the CPA undertakes actions such as protecting the marine environment from oil pollution, deploying electric vehicles in port zones, installing renewable energy sources, digitalisation to monitor sustainable goals and developing maritime accelerators. Key areas include green mobility, technology, port management, supply chain, waste and pollution management. The CPA is committed to implementing and continuously improving an Environmental Management System (EMS) in line with EU and national law, assessing environmental aspects, training employees and stakeholders, preventing accidents, complying with legislation such as “Fit for 55,” and engaging all port users to apply EMS principles. The overall goal is enhanced environmental performance and sustainability.
Technological changes are playing a major role in port operations. How has the CPA adopted new technologies, and where is there room to grow?
The Cyprus Ports Authority is modernising its operations by adopting advanced technologies with a strong focus on digitalisation, efficiency and security. Since 2016, it has operated a Port Community System (PCS), enabling port users to submit documentation and communicate electronically with the relevant authorities. This system digitises processes such as vessel arrival and departure notifications, while ensuring that all required documents are available online, reducing paperwork and minimising physical meetings. As the National Coordinator, the CPA is upgrading its PCS to comply with EU Regulations 2023/2790, 2023/204 and 2023/205, creating a Maritime National Single Window aligned with the European Maritime Single Window (EMSWe). In parallel, the CPA operates a Vessel Traffic System (VTS) to provide real-time monitoring of vessel movements, enhancing safety and preventing incidents. Recognising its status as critical infrastructure, the CPA has also prioritised cybersecurity. Looking ahead, the Authority identifies Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a key driver of growth and innovation.
Ports are not just about ships and cargo – they rely on skilled people. How is the CPA investing in training and upskilling the workforce to keep pace with today’s digitalisation and sustainability requirements?
The Cyprus Ports Authority considers its employees its most valuable asset and places strong emphasis on training and upskilling to meet modern practices, digitalisation and sustainability goals. Actions include in-house training, participation in external learning programmes, international simulations and congresses and fora. CPA staff also engage actively in international and European organisations such as ESPO and IAPH, aiming to identify trends, address gaps and align strategies that foster digital capabilities for the future. Recognised as a critical information infrastructure by the Digital Security Authority under the NIS Directive, the CPA has established relevant personnel policies and ensures regular training. Furthermore, the CPA leverages the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility to fully digitalise its archives and procedures. Acknowledging that upskilling alone cannot address digital transformation, the CPA also invests in reskilling initiatives, ensuring that employees adapt to emerging challenges while supporting the organisation’s long-term sustainability and competitiveness.
With growing competition from major Mediterranean ports, what are Cyprus’ key advantages?
Cyprus benefits commercially from its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, which historically boosted transit trade in the 1980s and 1990s. Today, this geostrategic position and Cyprus’ membership of the European Union guide the CPA and its partners in developing ports based on EU standards and regulations, offering faster access to global markets, efficient logistics and multimodal links. Cyprus has a good and stable bureaucratic system which ensures effective planning, reliable operations and confidence for investors and stakeholders. This advantage, combined with its geopolitical position, supports synergies that increase cargo traffic and transform terminals into shore-based logistics hubs for the hydrocarbons industry and East Mediterranean energy commodities. The CPA collaborates with key energy stakeholders to attract investment while enhancing infrastructure.
What are the CPA’s strategic goals for taking Cypriot ports to the next level?
The primary goal is the expansion of Vassiliko port into Cyprus’ new industrial hub. Further objectives include expanding Latchi port, improving energy efficiency, advancing the green transition, digitisation and AI adoption.
(Photo by TAPSHO)
This interview first appeared in the August edition of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it.
