Logistics services in Cyprus.

Cyprus logistics overview: modes, trade and gateways

Logistics services in Cyprus center on seaborne and air routes. Containers move mainly through Limassol, Larnaca and Famagusta, supported by smaller ports such as Kyrenia, Dhekelia and Xeros along about 648 km of coastline.

Air freight uses scheduled services via Ercan, Larnaca and Paphos airports. With exports of about 6.2 billion USD and imports of about 15.3 billion USD, shippers typically organize ocean, air and local road distribution for goods such as ships, refined petroleum, packaged medicine, cars and cheese.

Freight forwarders in Cyprus typically route sea cargo through Limassol, Larnaca or Famagusta and use Larnaca or Paphos airports for air freight. Cyprus is in the EU and a WTO member, which frames customs and tariff treatment for trade with partners such as Greece, the UK, Italy, Turkey and Spain.

When choosing freight forwarders in Cyprus, consider the Logistics Performance Index scores: customs and infrastructure are weaker areas than tracking and timeliness. Forwarders with strong practices around customs handling, port operations at Limassol and Larnaca, and links to liner carriers such as Evergreen, CMA CGM, COSCO, MSC, Maersk, ONE, ZIM, APL and Hapag-Lloyd can help mitigate bottlenecks.

Cyprus handled about 386,500 TEU in 2024, with container traffic concentrated at ports like Limassol and Larnaca, plus other commercial ports including Famagusta and Dhekelia. Limassol is a medium sized port with cargo pier depth of about 14 m, while Larnaca offers about 11 m, suitable for regular container services.

The country’s liner shipping connectivity index stood at 17.78 in 2021. Major container lines with offices in Limassol or Nicosia include Evergreen, Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, COSCO, Hapag Lloyd, ONE, ZIM and APL, providing FCL and LCL shipping from and to Cyprus on multiple trades.

For air cargo, shippers use three airports with scheduled service: Larnaca International Airport (LCA), Paphos International Airport (PFO) and Ercan International Airport (ECN). Recorded air freight volume is about 0.4 million tonne km, so air is used for lighter, higher value or time sensitive goods. This fits export and import products such as packaged medicine and other manufactured items that benefit from faster transit and tighter delivery windows.

Rail and road freight in Cyprus supports port and airport movements across the island. Famagusta is noted as having rail access, while Limassol, Larnaca, Kyrenia and Dhekelia are served without rail connections.

Road transport links inland cities such as Nicosia with seaports and airports for final delivery and collection. With a coastline of about 648 km and several ports positioned around the island, road distances between industrial areas and maritime gateways are relatively short compared with large continental countries.

Customs clearance in Cyprus operates within both WTO rules and the EU bloc framework. The country has been a member of the World Customs Organization since 1967 and applies average tariffs of about 1.33 percent.

Cyprus scores about 2.9 on the Logistics Performance Index customs component, above the world median of 2.6, with an overall LPI of 3.2. Typical import and export border procedures are fast, with median lead times of about 1 day for both exports and imports. For individual shipments, shippers should ensure accurate commercial invoices, packing lists and transport documents to reduce delays.