Limassol port and Nicosia perimeter motorway among 134 EU transport projects sharing €7b support

The European Union has allocated €7 billion to support 134 transport projects across the member states under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). Among these, €1.2 million is earmarked for improving the energy sustainability of Limassol Port, and €10.5 million is set aside for the construction of the Nicosia perimeter motorway.

Eighty percent of the money are allocated to transportation projects, which is in line with the climate goals of the European Union. The upgrade of inland waterways, marine routes, and railroads within the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) is the focus of a total of 83% of the investment.

As of July 18, the revised rule governing the network's development is in force. The current results are provisional until the European Commission formally issues the funding decisions, pending consent from the Member States.

Cyprus projects

The first approved project in Cyprus involves conducting studies for establishing land-based electricity supply at Limassol Port, with the Cyprus Ports Authority as the recipient of €1,169,813. This project aims to enhance the port's sustainability by providing more electricity to ships, thereby reducing air pollution.

The second project is the construction of phase C1 of the Nicosia perimeter motorway, with €10,463,609 proposed for the Ministry of Transport. This project focuses on improving road safety in a critical segment of the trans-European network.

EU-wide initiatives

On a broader scale, the funding prioritizes major projects to enhance cross-border rail connections within the TEN-T core network, including the Rail Baltica project in the Baltic states, the Lyon-Turin link between France and Italy, and the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel connecting Denmark and Germany.

Additionally, the funds will support infrastructure upgrades in 20 seaports, including those in Ireland, Spain, Finland, the Netherlands, Germany, Malta, Lithuania, Croatia, Greece, and Poland. These upgrades will facilitate ships being supplied with electricity from land and support the transport of renewable energy. Improvements to inland navigation infrastructures, such as river ports, are also included.

The development of cooperative intelligent transportation systems and the creation of new, safe parking areas for both private and commercial drivers are the main goals for road transportation. Funding will also be provided for air traffic control initiatives under the Single European Sky strategy.

Last but not least, a number of projects seek to expand the capability along the solidarity lanes between the EU and Ukraine, which were set up to facilitate imports and exports after the Russian invasion.

Out of the 408 applications received by the deadline of January 18, 2024, 134 projects were chosen. The funds received from the EU will be used to partially support the project's overall costs.