Companies interested in making use of Greek ports will be able to do so through a system of sub-contracting, according to shipping minister Panagiotis Kouroublis.
Transforming Thessaloniki port into a gateway to the Balkans is the priority of a consortium of three companies, which have stepped in as the port’s new managers.
The privatization of the Thessaloniki Port Authority is expected to contribute to GDP growth in Greece by up to 1.6 billion euros by 2026, IOBE think-tank says.
A consortium of three companies is on its way to be awarded a 67% stake in the Thessaloniki Port Authority, after making an improved bid of €231.92 million.
Ensuring the sale of a 67 percent stake in the Thessaloniki port authority moves ahead swiftly and trouble free tops the agenda of new incoming shipping minister Panagiotis Kouroumblis.
Greek ports have failed to draw in cruise travel despite the lifting of cabotage restrictions and are missing out by 1.3 billion euros in annual revenue, a report by Athens-based non-profit research organisation diaNEOsis revealed recently.
The cruise industry is feeling the brunt of ongoing strikes at ports in Thessaloniki and Piraeus, with potential losses reaching 12 million euros this month, stated Mr Theodore Kontes, the president of Union of Cruise Shipowners and Associated Members (EEKFN).
Connecting the city of Izmir in Turkey with Thessaloniki in Greece, topped the agenda of talks last week between a visiting Turkish delegation and the Thessaloniki Port Authority (TPA).
The northern port city of Thessaloniki aims to boost its connection with the rest of mainland Greece and the islands by offering seaplane services next summer after submitting its application to the transport ministry this week for the creation of a metropolitan waterway.
Thessaloniki is scheduled to be promoted as a cruise destination through a non-profit organization soon to be established by the city’s port authority, trade association and chamber of commerce and industry, the Greek press said last month.
