The transport ministry said on Thursday it’s awaiting a legal opinion from the attorney-general’s office as to whether the company Kition Ocean Holdings could potentially re-bid for a contract for managing the redevelopment of Larnaca’s port and marina.

Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades was responding to reporters on the sidelines of a session of the House audit committee.

“We say there’s no sense in evaluating a request, which plausibly could be outside the framework of legality,” he replied.

“Once we have this position [meaning the attorney-general’s opinion] we’ll take another look at it and discuss it with the local community…”

Asked a follow-up question, as to whether it is “provocative” for a company that failed in its obligations to be asking to get the project back, the minister said only that he understood the sentiment.

On the management of the Larnaca marina more broadly, Vafeades said he was expecting the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (Cmmi) to submit their business plan, before any further steps are taken.

“Our commitment stands that we will find a way with the Cmmi for them to take over the running of the marina,” he asserted.

Back in May last year, the government terminated the port and marina concession agreement with Kition. At the time, Vafeades said Kition had violated a material condition of the contract.

The government accused Kition of having refused to pay a requisite financial guarantee for the project’s operation and maintenance. The overall project contract was worth €1.2 billion.

After that, the government entered talks with the Cmmi, who would undertake management of the marina as a stopgap until a new operator can be found to take over the stalled development project.

At the moment, the port itself is being managed by the Ports Authority, and the marina by the transport ministry.