Chios Forum Explores Future of European Port Policy

Chios port. Photo © GTP

The government’s efforts to improve the competitiveness of Greek ports by tapping into EU initiatives and the privatization model to be followed for ports across Greece, were the focus of Secretary-General for Port Policy and Maritime Investment Christos Lambridis’ address during the Jean Monnet symposium on “The Future of European Port Policy”.

Held on the Aegean island of Chios last week, the symposium was attended by over 100 government officials, port experts, decision-makers, stakeholders and academics. The event was organized by the shipping, trade and transport department of the University of the Aegean, in collaboration with PortEconomics.

Jean Monnet Symposium – The Future of European Port Policy. Photo Source: @PortEconomics.eu

As engines of growth, European ports are of great significance, the forum concluded, with delegates exploring ways to boost competitiveness of the port sector and stressing the need to adopt a port services regulation.

Issues addressed over the two days include the implementation of the general block exemption regulation; the utilization of ports as hubs for blue growth; enhancing the market potential of ports and inland waterways; developing financial opportunities for the ports sector; environmental challenges, security, and safety; employment conditions at European ports; and good practices.

The second day of the conference focused on the Greek port industry, port policy and the cruise sector with the participation of Jason Angelopoulos, Regulatory Authority for Ports president; Christina Baboulakis, deputy manager of Strategic Planning & Marketing Piraeus Port Authority (PPA), who presented Cosco’s investment plan for the port; and Sotirios Theofanis, CEO of the now privatized Thessaloniki Port Authority who also referred to plans for the upgrade of the northern city’s port.