Thessaloniki, Greece (Ports Europe) June 7, 2022 – Thessaloniki Port Authority (ThPA) and Patras Port Authority S.A. have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop cooperation and develop synergies.
The MoU is based on their common vision for the enhancement of their activities, the leveraging of mutually beneficial regional and interregional partnerships, the overall development of port and trade activities, and the promotion of intermodal transport.
The agreement includes joint business initiatives and the exchange of information, best practices and know-how related to issues such as logistics solutions, innovative technologies focusing on navigation safety and environmental protection, strengthening of the two ports’ position internationally, the improvement of the services provided and the availability of infrastructures.
It was signed by Thanos Liagkos, Executive Chairman of the BoD of ThPA S.A., and Panagiotis Tsonis, Managing Director and Executive member of Patras Port Authority S.A., in the presence of Evangelos Kyriazopoulos, Secretary General of Ports, Port Policy and Maritime Investments.
Evangelos Kyriazopoulos, Secretary General of Ports, Port Policy and Maritime Investments, said: “The evolution of activities and the full leveraging of the possibilities of ports with a significant strategic position, like the ones of Thessaloniki and Patras, bring various and multiplying benefits. A key objective for all of us is Hellenic ports to have a critical role in the new era of cargo transportation, logistics, cruise and maritime tourism. On this basis, we welcome the cooperation between ThPA S.A. and Patras Port Authority S.A., which can create important opportunities for the two ports and the national economy”.
Thanos Liagkos, Executive Chairman of the BoD of ThPA, noted: “Today is an important day for the Hellenic port industry, since two companies that play an important role in trade and tourism between Europe and Asia, as hubs for major transit routes, join forces, with a clear growth orientation and with a view towards the future. At ThPA S.A., our vision is to be more than a port. We aspire to be the multi-gateway intermodal network and logistics solutions provider for the Balkans and the broader Southeast, Central and Eastern European region. The development of synergies with important partners from Greece and abroad is a key step to this direction”.
Panagiotis Tsonis, Managing Director and Executive member of Patras Port Authority, said: “The exchange of experiences between the human capital of the two ports is one of the aspects of this cooperation to which emphasis will be given. This way, we will be better prepared for new challenges and covering the future needs of the shipping industry, by adopting effective and efficient practices.
The investment climate in Greece provides significant opportunities. Through their cooperation, the ports of Thessaloniki and Patras will grow – commercially and financially – even further and enhance their position among international competitors. In turn, this will benefit the national economy and Greek society.”
Thessaloniki Port Authority (ThPA) was privatised in March 2018, and was operated by South Europe Gateway Thessaloniki (SEGT) Ltd, a consortium, in turn, then owned by Germany’s Deutsche Invest Equity Partners (DIEP) 47%; France’s CMA CGM (Terminal Link) 33% and Savvidis Group (Cyprus-registered Belterra Investments) 20%. Terminal Link is 49% owned by China Merchants Port Holding, which is controlled by the Chinese state. In February 2021, Russian billionaire of Greek origin, born in Georgia, Ivan Savvidis, acquired the 47% stake in the port owned by DIEP. Savidis, “the Russian tsar of Thessaloniki”, according to local media, now controls 67% of Greece’s second largest port.
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