Major Infrastructure Developments for Greek Islands, Ports by Mid-2027, Says Minister

Photo source: Shipping Ministry

The Greek government aims to build infrastructure on the country’s islands by mid-2027 that will place Greece in a pivotal position within Europe, according to Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Christos Stylianidis.

Speaking at the 15th Conference of the Greek Network of Small Islands, held recently on Milos, Stylianidis highlighted the ministry’s goal to develop a tourism product that attracts high-quality visitors to Greece.

“We seek tourists who have high expectations from us and, in return, will contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic development,” he said.

In his speech, Stylianidis outlined five key projects from the ministry:

– Master plan for the Aegean Sea: Upgrades to Greek ports are planned under a comprehensive strategy.
– Enhanced port safety: New safety protocols, including designated safety slots, will be implemented at ports.
– Desalination projects: Comprehensive desalination initiatives, supported by the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility, the National Strategic Reference Framework, and DG Regio, aim to address water shortages on the islands.
– Green transition for coastal shipping: A pilot project worth 80 million euros is set to revamp barren island ferry lines through public-private partnerships, focusing on sustainability.
– Maritime cluster development: A maritime cluster will be established to support shipping, coastal transportation, shipbuilding, maintenance, and green infrastructure across all Greek islands.

Greek Shipping Minister Christos Stylianidis. Photo source: Shipping Ministry

Minister Stylianidis emphasized that the ministry’s core policy priorities are port safety, infrastructure enhancement, and advancing the green transition.

Accompanied by Deputy Minister Stefanos Gikas, General Secretary Manolis Koutoulakis, and General Secretary of Maritime and Ports Evagelos Kyriazopoulos, Stylianidis visited Milos’ port authority, meeting with the port master and local officials.

The delegation also toured the historic Syrmata area, where fishing boats are traditionally stored in sea caves. Stylianidis expressed the ministry’s intention to designate this area as a protected site, preserving Milos’ unique architectural heritage.