New STS cranes from China’s ZPMC to arrive in Thessaloniki port

Thessaloniki, Greece (PortSEurope) February 10, 2021 – Thessaloniki Port Authority (ThPA) S.A. purchased two new, specially designed STS (Ship To Shore) cranes in order to further increase its competitive geographical advantage for intermodal transports to and from South East Europe, ThPA said. With the acquisition of the cranes from Chinese port equipment manufacturer ZPMC (Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.), the world’s largest producer of container handling equipment, ThPA will be able to directly serve main liner container vessels by providing reliable, modern, and competitive services. The acquisition of the two STS Cranes, with a total value of €15.68 million ($19 million), a maximum lifting capacity of 65 tonnes and 50 tonnes in twin-lift mode and in single-lift mode respectively, is part of the Mandatory Enhancements undertaken by ThPA based on the Concession Agreement with the Greek State. The new equipment enables the Port of Thessaloniki to directly serve main liner vessels, with a capacity of over 10,000 TEUs (New Panamax). It is expected to be delivered in fully functional and operational capacity at the container terminal of the port, during in Q1, 2022. The Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of ThPA, Athanasios Liagkos, stated: “The implementation of the equipment modernization program is part of the overall Investment Plan of ThPA S.A. and is launched with absolute consistency and at a fast pace so that the Port of Thessaloniki leads the development of intermodal transports to and from Southeastern Europe, whilst attracting main liner vessels. We serve our customers with three-fold devotion to innovation, safety and growth in our areas of responsibility". The Managing Director-CEO of ThPA Franco Nicola Cupolo said: “The Port of Thessaloniki, with the purchase of the two new exclusively designed STS cranes enters into a new era. The new equipment optimizes the service levels of container handling, doubles the production capacity of the Container Terminal, and significantly improves the port's competitiveness”. The submission of binding financial and technical offers for the second stage – Call for bids for the selection of the contractor for the project ‘Expansion of the marine works infrastructure of Pier 6 of Thessaloniki port – was completed, Thessaloniki Port Authority (ThPA) said earlier this month (More information in PortSEurope story Second stage of tender for expansion of Thessaloniki port Pier 6 completed). This project is the most important part of the mandatory enhancements undertaken by ThPA SA in the context of its concession agreement with the Greek state. The extension project has a budget of €130 million ($156.6 million). Binding financial and technical offers were submitted by five tenderers: Archirodon Group NV (Greece); consortium Intrakat Constructions SA (Greece), Intercantieri Vittadello SPA (Italy), Sales SPA (Italy); joint venture Mytilinaios SA (Greece), Rover Maritime SL (Spain), HDK SA (Greece); joint venture Avax SA (Greece), Etermar SA (Portugal), NV Besix SA (Belgium); joint venture Acciona Construccion SA (Spain), Dredging International NV (Belgium). A Terna-Vinci consortium decided not to submit an offer. ThPA was privatised in March 2018 and was operated by South Europe Gateway Thessaloniki (SEGT) Ltd., a consortium, in turn, owned by Germany’s Deutsche Invest Equity Partners (DIEP) with 47%; France’s CMA CGM (Terminal Link) with 33% and Savvidis Group (Cyprus-registered Belterra Investments) with 20%. Terminal Link is 49% owned by China Merchants Port Holding, which is controlled by the Chinese state. In January this year, Russian billionaire of Caucasus Greek origin, born in Georgia, Ivan Savvidis acquired the 47% stake in Thessaloniki port owned by Germany’s DIEP. Savvidis, “the Russian tsar of Thessaloniki”, according to local media, already owns 20% and now will control 67% of Greece’s second largest port. Greek Competition Commission has yet to approve the deal. CMA CGM (Terminal Link) retains its 33% in South Europe Gateway Thessaloniki, a consortium that operates ThPA. For more information about the controversial Russian and Chinese involvement in the Port of Thessaloniki, read our analysis Thessaloniki port seeks exit from Piraeus shadow; Chinese and Russian interests. Copyright (C) PortSEurope. All Rights Reserved. 2021.

New STS cranes from China’s ZPMC to arrive in Thessaloniki port

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New STS cranes from China’s ZPMC to arrive in Thessaloniki port

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