Nicosia, Cyprus. Deputy shipping minister Marina Hadjimanoli said an audit report on the Cyprus-Greece ferry service did not take into account provisions of the contract, disputing its conclusions about passenger capacity and subsidy payments.
Audit report and findings
The Audit Office published a report in early April on the operations of contractor Scandro Holding Ltd, finding that from 2022 until 2025 the ferries were running at an average 49 per cent capacity while still being paid in full through a state subsidy.
The report said that although demand was high and tickets sold out as soon as the platform opened, the average number of passengers per route was 173, nearly half of the ferry’s 350-passenger capacity.
The investigation followed complaints about unavailable ferry tickets, and the Audit Office said it had verified the numbers through the deputy shipping ministry.
Deputy shipping minister response
Hadjimanoli said that when the investigation began, the deputy ministry of shipping was asked to provide explanations for questions raised by the auditors.
She said the ministry provided answers and data, but that the Audit Office chose not to take them into account and proceeded with its own findings. Hadjimanoli said the calculations concluding the ship was travelling almost empty did not take into account that passenger numbers vary by month, with some months having fewer passengers and others reaching 100 per cent occupancy.
Hadjimanoli said there was full compliance with the contract terms and that this was evident from the most recent figures. She cited a figure of around 8,000 passengers travelling last year and questioned how the ship could be considered to be travelling empty.
Contractor’s comments
Charalambos Manolis, head of Scandro Holding Ltd, said the Audit Office may not have taken into account that demand varies by month.
He also said the Daleela ferry, which operated the connection in the previous four years, had three times the capacity provided for in the contract. Manolis said the contract stipulates the contractor must transport at least 100 people per trip, specifying 60 people in cabins and 40 in seats, and that the company has a ship with three times the capacity. He said the Audit Office based its findings on the ferry’s capacity rather than the agreed provisions.
What do you think should be included in audits to ensure contract terms and seasonal demand are accurately reflected?