Meeting at the Ministry of Shipping on the port projects of Kythera and Antikythera

A wide-ranging meeting was held on 4 December 2024 at the Ministry of Shipping and Insular Policy with the participation of the Secretary General of Shipping and Ports, Ev. Kyriazopoulos, the Mayor of Kythera Efstratios Harhalakis, executives of the Municipality of Kythera, the Legal Advisor of the Municipality of Kythera Antonis Semitekolon, as well as competent officials of the Ministry. The meeting, which lasted two hours, had as its main objective the promotion of the legalization procedures of the port infrastructure of Kythera and Antikythera. The news became known after the Mayor of Kythera posted the news on Facebook.

The discussion focused on five critical studies implemented by the Municipal Port Fund, with a total budget of 415,000 euros. The studies include rehabilitation and upgrading projects in the ports of the two islands, with deadlines for completion within 2025:

1. Studies for Piso Gialos and Ammos Square (budget 75.000€).
2. Improvement of Diakofti Fishing Refuge (budget 50.000€).
3. Anchorage of tourist boats in Piso Gialos of Kapsali (budget 180.000€).
4. Safe marina and prevention of encroachments in Agia Pelagia (budget 60.000€).
5. Restoration of the Agia Patricia Fishing Reserve (budget 50.000€).

Works at the port of Antikythera

An important project, the repair and extension of the breakwater of the port of Antikythera, was included in the NSRF “Transport 2021-2027”. The project, which will start soon, is the first major upgrade of the port since 1986. A tender is also planned for the repair of the port's quay, with a budget of 148,000 euros.

Report about the problems with the AQUA JEWEL routes

The Mayor of Kythera raised with the Secretary General the issue of repeated delays and cancellations of the ship's itineraries AQUA JEWEL, affecting the connection Kythira-Antikythera-Kissamos. The tender for the award of the public service lines is scheduled for 13 December 2024.

The Mayor expressed his satisfaction for the cooperation with the Secretary General and the officials of the Ministry, underlining the importance of the discussion for the development and upgrading of the port infrastructure of the islands.

No reference to the problems of the port of Diakofti

Despite the fact that Diakofti is the main gateway of the island, with a key importance for the connection with mainland Greece and the development of tourism, there is no mention of the request for its upgrading, as problems in its safety have been pointed out, especially in recent years.

As has been reported officially by the Merchant Navy Captains Association the situation in the port of Diakofti is as follows:

Anchoring is problematic due to the quality of the seabed (stony). A stern mooring (L) should be provided for the safe mooring of ships. Sanitary facilities and a waiting room are needed. Dredging and jetties are also required.