Greek Port Town Volos Gets Waterway License

View of Volos Port.

The Central Greece port town of Volos will soon be getting its own waterway after its port authority was granted a relevant license, according to a joint ministerial decision published in the Government Gazette this week.

Managing company Hellenic Seaplanes said it has plans to link Volos with seaplane ports at the Sporades islands (Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros), Evia, and the North Aegean islands and offer seaplane connections to Chios, Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros, Psara, and Oinousses, among others.

The waterway license sets out the terms and conditions of the project and covers issues of ownership, infrastructure compatibility, and technical details.

Volos Port Authority Chief Executive Socrates Anagnostou said the network will resolve the age-old problem of connectivity between the mainland and the islands, adding that it is also a “modern means of transport that will contribute greatly to tourism”.

“It is essential to license other waterways in the country in order to establish a strong network of waterways that will support the seaplane flight operations and bring the results we aspire to,” he said.

Hellenic Seaplanes Chairman and Managing Director Nicolas Charalambous expressed his satisfaction with the decision, adding that Volos will as part of the waterway network acquire a prominent position in transport and that he hopes it will set the example and pave the way for the implementation of other seaplane ports across the country.

“Volos has a strong port, a strong tourist brand name… it will connect with its seaplanes the surrounding areas and islands and will strengthen its commercial identity,” he said.

Earlier this year, the Greek government said it was moving swiftly ahead with the licensing and construction of 150 waterways, which it hopes to have up and running in the next five years.