Patra, Piraeus Aiming to Expand Port Capabilities

Photo source: Patras Port Authority SA

Plans to expand the capacity and capabilities of the ports of Patra and Piraeus and their impact on the Greek economy and regional development were at the center of the 12^th Regional Development Conference held in the Peloponnese city of Patra this week.

Speaking at the event, Patras Port Authority SA CEO Panagiotis Anastassopoulos announced that a new marina able to cater to the needs of 200 recreational seacraft up to 12 meters in length and a dry marina were in the pipeline awaiting RRF approval.

One of the port authority’s top priorities, he said, is to increase cruise ship arrivals, which could be handled by the port’s two large piers that can accommodate the largest cruise ships.

He went on to add however that any plans to upgrade the port facilities of Patra also require transport access and particularly connection with the railway, which currently does not exist.

Patras Port Authority CEO Panagiotis Anastassopoulos (center) and Public & Investor Relations Deputy Manager at Piraeus Port Authority SA Nektarios Demenopoulos speaking at the 12th Regional Development Conference.

Also speaking at the event, Public & Investor Relations Deputy Manager at Piraeus Port Authority SA Nektarios Demenopoulos said the country’s largest port was currently investing 100 million euros in two new piers that will be able to handle large cruise ships measuring up to 400 meters. The project, he said, was scheduled to be complete by 2026. The development of the port of Piraeus, he added, “has created some 2,500 direct jobs in the container sector”.