
An international tender for the long-term concession of the port of Irakleio (Herakleion), the largest and busiest on the island of Crete, commenced on Tuesday, part of the Greek government’s goal of privatizing 10 regional ports around the east Mediterranean country.
The privatization of the regional ports – following the concessions for the major port authorities of Piraeus and Thessaloniki over previous years – was among the provisions in successive memoranda with institutional creditors.
The process has already proceeded with the ports authorities of Alexandroupolis and Kavala, both smaller but strategically placed facilities in northern Greece.
The other ports on the list for long-term concession leases are Igoumenitsa, in extreme northwest Greece, a primary Greece-Italy ferry route; Volos, in central-eastern Greece; Patras, the main port of western Greece; Elefsina, an industrial hub west of the greater Athens-Piraeus area; Lavrio, a small port and harbor southeast of Athens proper, and the port of Corfu, on the eponymous Ionian island.
In terms of the tender for the extreme northeast port of Alexandroupolis, which lies just west of the land border with Turkey in the Thrace province, and which figures prominently on regional energy networks, Greece’s semi-autonomous privatization agency (HRADF) has already short-listed four investment schemes in the second phase of the process. The tender involves a 67-percent stake of the Alexandroupolis port authority’s share capital and its management.
The four contenders are:
– QUINTANA INFRASTRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT
– The consortium CAMERON S.A- GOLDAIR CARGO AE- BOLLORE AFRICA LOGISTICS
– The consortium INTERNATIONAL PORT INVESTMENTS ALEXANDROUPOLIS, comprised of the companies BLACK SUMMIT FINANCIAL GROUP – EUROPORTS -EFA GROUP and Gek Terna
– The Thessaloniki Port Authority S.A.
For the concession tender involving the port authority of Kavala, HRADF has shortlisted the following contenders:
– QUINTANA INFRASTRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT
– The consortium IMERYS GREECE SA, GOLDAIR CARGO AE & Industrial Minerals of Greece S.A.
3) The consortium INTERNATIONAL PORT INVESTMENTS KAVALA, comprised of the companies BLACK SUMMIT FINANCIAL GROUP – EFA GROUP Gek Terna
– The Thessaloniki Port Authority S.A.
In terms of the concession for Igoumenitsa, Italy’s Grimaldi group has expressed an interest. The multinational coastal shipper is already active in the Greek market with its subsidiary, Irakleio-based Minoan Lines.
Expressions of interest for Igoumenitsa have also been tabled by:
– Attica Group
– Danthia Shipping MARG
– Portek international
– Quintanna infrastructure &Development,
– Aegean Oil
– the consortium Archirodon ANEK and Trident Hellas
– The Thessaloniki Port Authority S.A.


Latest News

Metropolitan Ioannis of Korce New Archbishop of Albania
Following the announcement of the election, church bells rang joyfully in Orthodox churches across Albania

Greece Faces Renewed Fears of Water Crisis Ahead of Summer 2025
Following a prolonged drought that began in 2024, fears of a water crisis highlight the urgent need for infrastructure improvements

Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and More Seek Collaboration with Greek Unis
Greece's former Minister of Education Kyriakos Pierrakakis announces an €82 million funding boost to support the partnerships

Greek Government Reshuffle Brings in More Young Technocrats
Greek PM Mitsotakis has brought in younger leaders and technocrats in a bid to accelerate the government's efforts at modernization and efficiency, according to New Democracy insiders

Greece’s New Government Members Sworn in at Presidential Mansion
Greece's new government members were sworn in on Saturday morning and head straight to work through the first meeting of the new cabinet.

Moody’s Upgrades Greece to Investment Grade, Ending Crisis Era
The rating agency raised Greece’s long-term credit rating to Baa3 from Ba1, with a stable outlook.

EFET on World Consumer Day: Humanity Faces New Challenges
This year’s message emphasizes the need for a transition to sustainable lifestyles while safeguarding consumers’ legally recognized rights. This means ensuring access to essential goods such as food and energy, as well as health and safety.

Athens Hotels Lead Europe in Value Growth for Third Year
Over the entire period from 2015 to 2024, the average annual increase in hotel value was 6.1%.

Unemployment Rate in Greece Down 8.9% in January: IOBE
The unemployment rate in Greece recorded a further decline in January 2025, reaching 8.9%, according to the latest Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research (IOBE) report.

Demand for Short Term Rentals in Greece Surges Ahead of Easter
Among the most popular Easter destinations from Good Friday to Easter Monday are Corfu, Hydra, the Peloponnese, Ioannina, Patmos, Loutra Edipsou, Kavala, Thassos, and Pelion