© Piraeus Port Authority
A master plan and details for the development of the Piraeus Port Authority (PPA) are set to go up for public discussion with municipalities and local stakeholders in February.
Once the master plan is approved, upgrade works budgeted at 466 million euros can begin on the country’s largest port.
Greek media however expects opposition by local bodies and officials to the scheme. More specifically, Greek daily Naftemporiki reports that plans to develop a logistics center in Keratsini including an underground road link will cause a stir.
Photo Source: Municipality of Piraeus
According to the same report, another point of contention will be proposals for the construction of four- or five-star hotels near Gate E2 and a shopping center within the port premises, which have yet to be clearly stated in the master plan and which, if prove to be true, may result in reactions by Piraeus trade bodies.
Aiming to transform Piraeus into the Mediterranean’s leading cruise ship hub and into one of the world’s 30 largest container ports, PPA main stakeholder Cosco has since it took over included local associations and officials in the decision-making procedures.
As part of Cosco’s concession deal, a mandatory investment of 294 million euros will go over a five-year period towards the upgrade of its existing infrastructure with the aim to boost competitiveness. Other works include expanding the southern port to facilitate four new cruise berths, establishing a berth allocation system, converting a port warehouse into a cruise passenger station and upgrading shipbuilding zone infrastructure.
