Four bidders have secured their involvement in the tender process for the long-anticipated construction of a marina in the Potima area of Kissonerga, Paphos; a flagship project that, despite being discussed for decades, has yet to materialise.
The deadline for submission of proposals expired at midday yesterday, followed by the official opening of the tender for the development of Paphos Marina under a long-term concession agreement based on the DBFOT model (Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer). The names of the four groups that submitted bids were subsequently published via the e-procurement platform.
According to the official listing in the e-procurement platform, the bidders are MAN Enterprise CYPRUS Limited, Cusano Mare Ltd, Orestes Fintiklis and Celicandia Ltd.
Celicandia Ltd is linked to the Korantina Homes Group, one of Cyprus’ largest property developers, with a strong presence in Paphos and particularly active in the wider area where the new marina is proposed.
Orestes Fintiklis, the second interested party, brings both Cypriot and international credentials, while MAN Enterprise is a Lebanese construction group with significant global experience in large-scale port and tourism developments.
The fourth consortium to express interest, Cusano Mare Ltd, is understood to represent a partnership of Italian and Scandinavian investors operating within the construction sector.
The tender for the project, which aims to position Paphos as a leading destination for maritime and nautical tourism in the Mediterranean, was officially launched in September 2025 by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism.
The Paphos marina development project
The marina is planned for a state-owned plot in the Potima area of Kissonerga, covering approximately 165,000 square metres. The development envisages a high-specification, modern marina with capacity for up to 1,000 leisure vessels across both sea and onshore facilities.
In addition to the marina infrastructure, the scheme includes residential and commercial components, with optional provision for hotel development as well as potential cruise ship servicing facilities, including a pier.
If delivered, the project is expected to represent one of the most significant coastal and tourism investments in Cyprus, reshaping the western seafront of Paphos and reinforcing the district’s strategic role in Mediterranean yachting and waterfront real estate.
The troubled history of the Paphos Marina project
Since an initial study was carried out more than 30 years ago, the Paphos Marina project has been stalled by legal battles and mired in bureaucracy.
1990s–2006 — concept & early planning
The idea of a marina for Paphos appears in long-term coastal development planning and feasibility studies through the late 1990s and 2000s as Paphos developed as a tourism hub.
2007–2008 — first high-profile tender and award
A major government tender was run. In 2007–2008 the Cybarco-Pandora consortium (including Leptos Group in reporting) was initially announced the winner of the concession/tender for the Paphos marina. Litigation followed almost immediately as the other bidders objected and appealed the award.
2008–2015 — litigation, counter-awards and re-examinations
The 2008 award triggered multiple legal challenges and reviews. Different bidders (notably Poseidon Grand Marina and Pafilia) lodged appeals and objections; the administration re-examined financing evidence and committee procedures. These years saw annulments and re-assessments rather than construction.
December 2015 — Supreme Court milestone
In late 2015 the Supreme Court issued a pivotal decision favouring the Poseidon consortium in aspects of the dispute (reporting indicates the court found procedural problems with the administration/committee handling of earlier stages), which reshuffled the legal status of the tender. (The ruling did not immediately produce a stable concession because subsequent steps required proof of funds and committee re-assessments.)
2016–2018 — committee rulings, new award and withdrawals
Following court rulings, the management/steering committee attempted to move ahead. At different moments Pafilia was invited/approved as the next concessionaire, and a new committee signed an agreement in 2018 — but Pafilia then withdrew from the process (citing the uncertain legal and commercial environment). Meanwhile Poseidon and others continued legal actions asserting procedural irregularities.
2019–2021 — continuing delays and fresh objections
Even after new committee actions, interested parties kept raising formal objections to tender steps (complaints brought to tender review authorities and interim orders). That kept the project on hold and prevented contract signature/works starting. Reporting in 2021 flagged another objection that again froze progress.
2022–2023 — renewed government work and feasibility / tender preparations
The government and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism repeatedly restarted preparatory work: updated feasibility studies, revised tender documents, and public statements that the ministry would re-launch an improved, legally robust procurement process designed to avoid the errors of the past. Coverage in this period described a “new hope” and active preparation for a fresh investor call.
January 2025 — publication of basic characteristics / call for proposals (Phase 1 input)
In January 2025 the Deputy Ministry published the basic characteristics of the project and invited interested parties to submit proposals/expressions of interest under those characteristics (reports cited a submission window that closed in late January 2025). This marked a concrete administrative step toward a two-phase procurement (expression of interest and invitation to tender).
August 2025 — ministry preparing investor call / tender documents
By August 2025 reporting noted the Deputy Ministry was finalising the investor-interest call and legal checks, with stakeholders saying the formal call for investors / opening of tender documents was expected in late August / early September 2025. Officials signalled an intention to run a more rigorous tender process and to address financing, environmental and archaeological constraints up front.
September 2025 – ministry launches tender process
The Deputy Ministry of Tourism has launched the tender process for the development of the Paphos Marina project.
