The Piyale Pasha Sea Bus, which will travel from Anamur District in Mersin to Kyrenia, has docked at Anamur Pier. The inaugural voyage is scheduled to start today at 11 am, Kibris Postasi reports.
With the newly prepared pier in Anamur and the rented ferry, the average travel time between Mersin and Cyprus has been reduced to just 2 hours.
The ferry will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Departures from Anamur Pier to Kyrenia Port are set for 11 am, with return trips from Kyrenia Port to Anamur at 6 pm.
The captain and crew of the Piyale Pasha Sea Bus were welcomed with flowers at Anamur Pier. Anamur Mayor Durmuş Deniz expressed excitement about the new service, highlighting its potential to elevate Anamur, a city known for agriculture and tourism, to a global brand. He remarked, “We are very excited for the people of Anamur. These ferry services will open our city to the world. Anamur, in addition to being an agricultural hub, is a tourism paradise with a 17-kilometre coastline, caves, Mamure Castle, and the ancient city of Ören. I believe that these expeditions will boost both tourism and agriculture in Anamur.”
The welcoming ceremony was attended by Anamur District Police Chief Hanifi Umar, Anamur District Gendarmerie Commander First Lieutenant Kadir Dölek, Mersin Metropolitan Anamur, Aydıncık Bozyazı Coordinator Erdal Karan, Anamur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Mehmet Tuna and Board Members, Mehmet Yücelen representing the Yücelen Foundation, and local citizens.
Captain Adnan Ketenci stated that the ferry, with a capacity of 450 passengers, aims to reach Kyrenia from Anamur in 2 hours and 15 minutes. Following the welcome ceremony, a short tour was conducted in Bozyazı district.
The Piyale Pasha Sea Bus will operate four days a week, departing from Anamur Pier to Kyrenia Port at 11 am and returning from Kyrenia Port to Anamur at 6 pm.
