UN/LOCODE: CYLMS📍 Cyprus
Port of Limassol (UN/LOCODE CYLMS)
❖ Coordinates: 34.6800°N, 33.0500°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Nicosia
❖ UN/LOCODE: CYLMS
## About the Port
The Port of Limassol (UN/LOCODE: CYLMS), situated in the Lemesos district of Cyprus at coordinates 34.68° N, 33.05° E, operates within the Asia/Nicosia timezone (UTC+2, UTC+3 during daylight saving). As the Republic of Cyprus’s principal commercial gateway and one of the Eastern Mediterranean’s foremost multifunctional hubs, Limassol handles containers, general cargo, dry and liquid bulk, roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) freight, cruise passengers, and offshore energy logistics. The harbor’s deep-water configuration accommodates Post-Panamax container ships and large cruise vessels, underpinning national supply chains and tourism.
### Geographic Positioning
Limassol lies on Cyprus’s southern coast, granting direct access to the Mediterranean Sea and sitting roughly 280 nautical miles from the Suez Canal. This strategic latitude and longitude place the port outside major seismic fault lines while affording a semi-enclosed, breakwater-protected basin. Its position makes CYLMS a natural transshipment and feeder node linking European, Asian, and African trade lanes.
## History
### Early Anchorage to Modern Port
Although the bay of Limassol served ancient Amathus and Kourion as a sheltered anchorage, the modern port was initiated under British administration with a permanent wharf in 1880. The Cyprus Ports Authority (CPA) was established in 1973, centralizing management. Throughout the late 20th century, successive extensions added quays and cargo sheds to meet the island’s export growth.
### Privatization and Expansion
A landmark concession in 2016 transferred container and general cargo operations to a private consortium, driving productivity gains. Recent upgrades include a modernized cruise terminal (2020) and expanded facilities to support offshore hydrocarbon exploration in the Levantine Basin, reinforcing Limassol’s role in energy logistics.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Terminal Configuration
The port provides about 3.2 km of quay, with alongside depths from 11 m to 18 m. The container terminal offers 1,000 m of deep-water berth at 16 m draft, serviced by ship-to-shore gantry cranes (65 t capacity) and automated yards. A multi-purpose terminal manages breakbulk and project cargo; a ro-ro ramp connects to ferry services for Greece and Israel.
### Support Services
On-site assets include a free zone exceeding 120,000 m² for warehousing and re-export, a liquid bulk jetty for fuels and LPG, and a ship-repair yard with graving dock capacity up to 80,000 DWT. The cruise terminal accommodates up to six vessels (max 360 m) and 1 million passengers annually.
### Navigation and Safety
Compulsory pilotage applies to vessels over 150 m. Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) monitors approaches, and detailed draft limitations are published by the Cyprus Ports Authority↗. Two rubble-mound breakwaters (1.5 km combined) shield the basin from swell.
## Economic Importance
### Contribution to GDP
Limassol port clears over 80% of Cyprus’s maritime cargo and contributes an estimated 5% of national GDP via direct operations and indirect logistics. The Lemesos region relies on the port for more than 6,000 jobs in stevedoring, forwarding, and ancillary maritime services.
### Logistics Hub
The Limassol Free Zone and connectivity to TEN-T sea corridors position Cyprus as a redistribution point for the Middle East. The port’s performance is frequently cited by UNCTAD Maritime Transport↗ as a benchmark for island economies integrating into global value chains.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Principal Shipping Lanes
Primary deep-sea routes run via the Suez Canal to the Far East and Indian subcontinent, while westbound services call at Piraeus, Rotterdam, and Valencia. Short-sea loops link CYLMS with Haifa, Port Said, and Beirut. Cruise lines include Limassol in perennial Mediterranean itineraries.
### Cargo Profile
Annual container throughput surpasses 400,000 TEU. Exports feature citrus, wine, cement, and pharmaceuticals; imports center on machinery, electronics, and consumer goods. Dry bulk (grain, clinker) averages 1.5 million tonnes, liquid bulk remains vital for fuel supply, and ro-ro freight grows with Balkan intermodal links.
### Future Outlook
With Cyprus’s offshore gas developments, Limassol is evolving into a supply base for drilling rigs and FPSOs, ensuring the port’s continued strategic relevance in Eastern Mediterranean energy and trade networks.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
CYLMS
Country
Cyprus
Province / Region
Lemesos
Latitude
34.680000
Longitude
33.050000
Timezone
Asia/Nicosia
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Limassol?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Limassol is CYLMS.
Where is Port of Limassol located?
The Port of Limassol is located in Cyprus, Lemesos. Its coordinates are 34.6800°N, 33.0500°E.
What time zone is Port of Limassol in?
Port of Limassol operates in the Asia/Nicosia time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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