Learn about the latest developments in the port of Thessaloniki
ThPA S.A. aspires to more than a port, to be the multi-gateway intermodal network and logistics solutions provider for the Balkans and the broader Southeast, Central and Eastern European region, strategically located in Northern Greece close to the major Trans-European motorway and railway networks with direct access to the Southeastern European countries. The Port of Thessaloniki has been designated as a port of International Interest (Government Gazette B’/202/16.2.07) and one of the Greek ports, which belongs to the Core Network of Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
Port’s mission is to provide an evolving, efficient and reliable intermodal network, which safeguards and upgrades the supply chain of its broader region, while actively contributing to the growth of its business partners, delivering value to all stakeholders and society, while promoting sustainability. Is also the largest Conventional Cargo Transit Port of Greece and one of the leading ports in the Eastern Mediterranean. ThPA S.A., listed on the Athens Exchange since 2001, handles containers, conventional cargo, operates the free zone of the Port in accordance with tax and customs legislation currently in force authorized with AEO license, offers reliable and cost-efficient logistics solutions and intermodal rail services with direct rail connectivity between the Port of Thessaloniki and Bulgaria (Sofia), Serbia (Nis) and the Republic of North Macedonia (Skopje) and serves passenger traffic through cruise and ferry.
In 2021, the Port achieved homeport status for the cruise sector, becoming a port for embarkation and/or disembarkation of passengers onboard cruise ships, significantly contributing to the development of tourism in Northern Greece. The Port also has ferry connections with the islands of the Northeast Aegean, the Cyclades, and the Sporades Islands (Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos). ThPA S.A. promotes and enhances economic growth locally, nationally and internationally, focuses on the pillars of business, innovation, sustainability and society with direct access to more than 70 million consumers, ThPA S.A. is the gateway to growth and opportunities.
Green Award Network
Is the first port in Greece to participate in the Green Award Network as an Incentive Provider, offering a 15% discount on port charges to Green Award-certified vessels calling the Port of Thessaloniki. The Green Award certificate is a quality mark for vessels and shipping companies that exceed the statutory obligations regarding environmental standards.
Certifications
Is the 1st Greek Port certified with ISO 45001:2018 for the management of occupational Health & Safety. Port of Thessaloniki, with the main objective of providing reliable, modern and competitive services also has the following internationally recognized certifications:
- ISO 37001: 2016, for the Antibribery Management System
- ISO 50001:2018, for the Energy Management System
- ISO 9001:2015, for the Quality Management System
- ISO 14001:2015, for the Environmental Management System
- ISO/IEC 27001:2013, for the Information Security Management System applied to the Container & Conventional Cargo Terminal information system and the protection of digital data at the Container Terminal and the Conventional Cargo Terminal
- ISO 22301:2019, for Business Continuity Management System
- Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) License for Security and Safety (AEOS) from the Independent Authority for Public Revenue.
Pier 6 Expansion
The Mandatory Investments of the First Investment Period that ThPA S.A. has undertaken to implement under the Concession Agreement with the Greek State, have a total reference cost of €180 million and are spearheaded by the Pier 6 (Container Terminal) expansion project.
According to the specifications, the project “Expansion of the Marine Works Infrastructure of Pier 6” includes:
- Construction of a new additional quay wall 513m long, of which 470m will have a depth of -17,7m.
- Construction of an additional yard area, 306,5m wide.
- All the additional infrastructure works that are required for ensuring full operability of the new quay wall and the yard area.
The completion of the project marks the substantial upgrade of the competitiveness of the Port of Thessaloniki as it:
- Enhances the position of the Port of Thessaloniki in the global port industry and the logistics supply chain due to its proximity to the markets of Southeast and Central Europe as well as to the major trans-European motorway and railway networks.
- Significantly increases the capacity of the port.
- Allows the service of main liner container vessels (Ultra Large Container Vessels) with a capacity of up to 24.000 TEU.
- Leads to a significant increase in the port’s commercial activity.
Infrastructure upgrades at the Port of Thessaloniki are a direct investment of major importance also for the City of Thessaloniki and foster cross-border synergies in Southeast Europe, substantially enhancing the growth prospects in the wider region.
Social Economic Impact of Pier 6
The implementation and completion of the project contributes substantially to economic and social development with various and multiplier benefits on a local and national level. Specifically, the Pier 6 expansion project during its implementation 3-year period, according to an independent study, has been estimated that it:
- Generates annual revenues of over €230m throughout the port ecosystem directly or indirectly affected by the expansion of Pier 6 – this amount concerns the port, cooperating companies, suppliers, but also other businesses, especially in the transport sector.
- Significantly increases public revenues from direct and indirect taxes over €35m per year.
- Generates added value of over €90m per year during the construction period, contributing to the country’s GDP.
- Supports, both directly and indirectly, the creation of more than 3.300 jobs, significantly strengthening the critical social sector of employment.
Additionally, in the ten-year full operation period, “Pier 6” is expected to:
- Generate annual revenues of €272m throughout the port supply chain, which includes cooperating companies such as suppliers and other businesses, especially in the transport sector.
- Significantly increase public revenues from direct and indirect taxes of over €55m per year.
- Generate added value of over €177m per year, contributing to the country’s GDP.
- Support the creation of over 4.000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, significantly strengthening the critical social sector of employment.
FRAMEWORK
Since 2018, the Port of Thessaloniki has seen additional investments, beyond the mandatory ones, amounting to €67.61 million. The group’s turnover has increased by 52%. The concession price was multiplied by 2.6 times, the number of permanent staff increased by 47.2% and 447 new hires were made.
In November 2023, the new passenger cruise terminal was inaugurated, while in recent years, combined transport and logistics networks have been rapidly developed in SE European countries with direct rail connections to Sofia (Bulgaria), Nis (Serbia) and Skopje (North Macedonia).
Photos captions
Photo 1 Cruise and shipping are important for the further development of the tourism industry in Northern Greece
Photos 2,3, 4 ThPA S.A is the 1st Greek port certified for occupational health and safety.
Photos 5,6 ThPA S.A is the first port in Greece to participate in the Green Award Network as an Incentive Provider, offering a 15% discount on port dues to Green Award certified ships visiting the Port of Thessaloniki.
Photo 7 ThPA S.A aims to be the leading provider of multi-gate, multi-modal transport and supply chain solutions for the Balkans and the wider region of Southeast, Central and Eastern Europe.
Editor: STELINA MARGAROTIDOU
VERSION IN ENGLISH : STELINA MARGARITIDOU
