Adapting ports to new technologies will increase their commercial and tourist activities, while their administrations should invest in energy upgrades with a view to the green transition in maritime transport, said the president of the Hellenic Ports Association, Athanasios Liagos. He also proposed the cooperation of large and small ports for further development and central planning, while with regard to the new regulation for cruise passengers outside the Schengen Treaty, he stated that in all Greek ports the ports of entry have been completed to a percentage of the order of 20%. He also considers it necessary to develop and modernize the railway and road network, since their connection to ports guarantees international competitiveness.
What actions should our ports take to face the challenges with the aim of greater development?
“The first concern of Greek ports to face the challenges is to modernize their infrastructures, so that they become smart ports, also investing in cyber security. In this way, they will guarantee faster service in their areas of activity, reduce waiting times for ships and be able to increase cargo and passenger volumes, whether in cruises or coastal shipping. Greek ports, in addition to compliance requirements with Greek and European legislation, must also make investments to reduce their carbon footprint and so as not to increase the operational costs of using their port facilities. The interconnection of ports and cargo storage areas around the ports with the main national and international roads and the railway is also important, as services are improved in this way. Equally positive is the investigation of new collaborations between large and small ports for the distribution of ships and cargo, with the aim of reducing cargo handling time and aiming to increase the volume of cargo handled, but also, by extension, to serve more ship arrivals. .”
How decisive is the contribution of port rail connectivity?
“The geographical position of our country provides a strong competitive advantage over other European countries, at the same time that the broader sector of the Supply and Transport Chain, of which our ports are also part, is one of the most important sectors of the economy Greek. The development and modernization of the railway and road network, and the optimization of interconnection guarantee the competitiveness of our ports compared to ports throughout the region, contributing to the economic development of our country. Taking into account the key role played by infrastructure projects, their greater acceleration is considered necessary to support the logistics sector and the development of combined transport through the interconnection of ports.
There is clearly an effort to promote projects that connect the ports of Patras, Lavrio, Rafina, Thessaloniki, Kavala and Alexandroupolis to the railway, while at the same time the modernization and development of the road network is necessary for port connectivity and continuous transport of cargo both inland and in neighboring and European countries. Accelerating the modernization of our country’s road and rail infrastructure to exploit the potential of its port facilities is considered of great importance for Greece’s strong development prospects.”
New Port Regulations for non-Schengen passengers: An extension has been granted and the country’s ports are in the implementation phase.
“Ports of entry have been completed at a percentage of around 20% in all Greek ports. The ports that currently own and operate the gates are: Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Igoumenitsa, Heraklion, Elefsis, Evia, Corfu, Kos and Rhodes. According to information from ESPO (European Sea Ports Organization), an extension was granted until autumn 2024. The main problem with the doors not being installed and functioning is the lack of funding.