Konstantinos Papaioannou, vice chairman of Board of Directors of Thessaloniki Port Authority SA - Attracting new users through investment in infrastructure

(Konstantinos Papaioannou)

Port of Thessaloniki enjoys an advantageous geographical location – a natural sea gateway to main sea trade routes in South Eastern Europe and the East Mediterranean sea. That is one of the four ports of Greece (Piraeus, Patras and Igoumenitsa) that has been included in the core European transport network.

Representatives of this port were staying in Nis in October, when they spoke to about 50 Serbian companies about the importance of the port of Thessaloniki for companies in central and south Serbia because of both its vicinity and numerous other benefits.

Konstantinos Papaioannou, vice chairman of the Board of Directors of Thessaloniki Port Authority SA, says to eKapija that that Greek port was constantly working to improve its capacity and infrastructure.

- Port of Thessaloniki possesses an adequate infrastructure that comprises quays 6,200 meters long, sea-depth of up to 12 meters, a total of 1.55 million sqm of land port area and a 600,000 sqm cargo storage. Port of Thessaloniki has the shortest sea gateway for central and south Serbia and interested companies of the region can find effective ways to send/receive cargo via the port, which is well connected with rail and road routes via Corridor IV and Corridor X.

ThPA SA is constantly working on improving the capacity and infrastructure of the port. Bearing in mind that Port of Thessaloniki belongs to the main epicenter Trans Europe network and it is connected to Trans-border transport petroleum pipeline and is close to the gas pipelines crossing Northern Greece, it is expected that EU funds will finance the infrastructure upgrade of the core European transport network in the new program period 2014 – 2021.

eKapija: Tell us something about projects aimed at improving infrastructure, transport links, investments...

- ThPA SA is making constant effort to improve conditions for its clients. The first of the two most significant projects aimed at improving infrastructure conditions in the port is the Extension of the Container Terminal, with the completion of phase 1 expected in 2015 and total investments, including infrastructure/superstructure, equipment, IT solution, amounting to €245 million. This project will be funded by THPA SA and the EIB. The other project is the Extension of the dry bulk terminal at pier 6, with total investments in infrastructure amounting to €80 million.

eKapija: Please name the advantages of import from/export to Serbia through the Port of Thessaloniki? What are the advantages of the Port of Thessaloniki over other ports in the region (Koper, Constanta, Bar, Rijeka)?

- We strongly believe that Thessaloniki port offers real advantages for import /export to Serbia. First of all, the Thessaloniki port is the nearest port to major economic and consumer centers of Serbia, especially those in the south.

Port of Thessaloniki has an advantageous geographical location -a natural sea gateway for cargoes to / from Asia to Balkans and Serbia, link to the European road and rail networks, rail network reaching all quays, free Zone inside port for in transit cargo, natural sea entrance (20 m – no need for dredging).

Port of Thessaloniki has a container terminal operating 24/7 year round, all major shipping lines, conventional cargo port. ThPA SA has also developed a strong cargo handling capacity with best handling equipment (derricks, platforms, etc.)

ThPA SA has adopted quality standards in port operations and project management.

The reliability, efficiency in operations and competitive prices give advantages to importers/exporters who choose the port of Thessaloniki for transporting all types of seaborne freight cargo to various origin/destinations globally.

eKapija: What was the volume of trade between Serbia and the Port of Thessaloniki in 2010, 2011, 2012? Please name the companies in Serbia with which you have a good cooperation?

- The volume of trade with Serbia was influenced by the economic crisis in 2008-2009, but it has been constantly growing since then, and we expect it to increase significantly in 2013 and in forthcoming years partly due to the proved improvement of port operations I mentioned earlier. We are very positive and looking forward to working with Serbian enterprises in the future, especially because we've had great responses from companies in the south region.

eKapija: Which goods are imported/ exported the most?

- Containerized goods of all categories, including consumer goods, industrial products and spare parts, furniture and raw materials, dominate the cargo transported via the port of Thessaloniki.

eKapija: What are the next steps in the process of getting the Serbian market more familiar with the Port of Thessaloniki?

(from the meeting in Nis)

- ThPA SA is fully dedicated in efforts to increase awareness of the port among Serbian businesses. This includes direct contacts with potential clients, chambers, associations and bodies related to import/export and logistics of cargo transported via ports.

We also need to highlight the potential of port community partners (e.g. shipping lines, ship agents, forwarders, logistics companies, customs agents) in facilitating cargo flows via the port of Thessaloniki.

Besides contacting relevant companies, ThPA SA supports efforts to lift administrative barriers or to simplify administrative procedures in customs and border checks, while strongly promoting block and shuttle trains to freight and logistics parks in Serbia.

We believe this policy and strong will for cooperation will be more fruitful and mutually beneficial in the near future.

Thessaloniki Port on Stock Exchange

Thessaloniki Port Authority SA is a joint stock company listed on the Athens Stock Exchange since 2001, with the majority of its shares (74.27%) belonging to the state and the rest (25.73%) in the possession of individual investors. Most shares are now represented by the Hellenic Republic Assets Development Fund SA.

M.K.