We had a beautiful second port day in Cyprus! Our morning started at Vassiliko Cement Works. This company was established in 1963 and is the largest production unit in Europe. I learned that cement is the second most consumed material in the world, the first being water. Vassiliko Cement Works is a vertically integrated company meaning they own a significant portion of the supply chain for the products they manage. Starting with the raw materials, VCW owns two limestone quarries, two clay quarries, and one gypsum quarry. They develop every part of their products onsite using machines including a raw material grinder, clinker kiln, and cement mill. The final products, both clinker and cement, are then stored in moisture proof silos until being distributed through both exports and local consumers. The company is not entirely vertically integrated, they import certain materials like fuel, but most of the processes are done entirely by Vassiliko Cement. I may not have a passion for business, but I loved learning about the production of cement!
The next company we learned about today was VTTV, or more recently known as VTTI Cyprus. This is an energy storage and logistics provider. The Vassiliko location owns 28 tanks that can hold clean petroleum products like car and jet fuel and heating oil. This company helps store transfer, and distribute these bulk liquids, but they never own the products themselves. This service is used by international traders, the Cyprus government for strategic stocks, and domestic retail. Both cement and energy companies were so welcoming, and it was a great morning.
After the seafood meze lunch, which was an interesting experience as a vegetarian, we learned about the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute, or CMMI. This is a nonprofit organization that has marine tech, sciences, and social sciences centers. The organization works in all areas to develop and promote marine life including robotics, naval architecture, data analytics and AI models, and environmental monitoring. I enjoyed learning about this organization’s goals, and after hearing about their work I would love to learn more about biotech and aquaculture!
Our final stops of the day were to St. Lazarus Church and Hala Sultan Tekke. Both church and mosque were beautiful in very different ways, with different architecture, landscape, and decoration. I have enjoyed all of our cultural experiences in Cyprus and this was no different. It was a great day, and I look forward to the adventures of tomorrow!