The launch of the first Greek-Cypriot sea connection since October 2001 has been described as “historic” by Cyprus’ President Nicos Anastasiades, who made a public address ay Limassol port before the Daleela sailed.

In his speech, the president said: “At last, the umbilical cord through shipping that connected Cyprus with Greece, is being re-established in a more efficient way, with more modern ships, but also with the most important aspect, which was to offer this to the citizens who wanted this.”

Anastasides also underlined the importance of the renovated boat’s safety and that it complies with international and European regulations.

The Daleela, which has a capacity for 400 passengers and is owned by Scandro Holding, departed carrying 170 passengers. Among them was Cyprus’ Deputy Minister to the President Kyriakos Kousios, Deputy Tourism Ministers of Cyprus and Greece Savvas Perdios and Sophia Zacharaki and Deputy Shipping Minister Vassilis Dimitriades, MPs from Cyprus, and members of the press, who are estimated to reach Piraeus after a 30-hour trip.

Four return trips are scheduled for June, eight for July, seven for August and three for September, with the last route scheduled for September 16. The trip takes approximately 30 hours.