The Government of Cyprus is in the process of studying various offers for the new billion euro Larnaca cruise facility, according to a spokesperson for Louis Cruises, who added that “a decision will be made shortly – within the next couple of months – and we are optimistic.”

The construction of the Larnaca marina and port will be undertaken by the Zenon Consortium. (Louis has a 22 percent share in Zenon, and Costa Crociere, 10 percent.) The project was originally expected to start by the end of 2009 when proposed last year, but that is now unlikely in today’s economic climate, a source said.