Dep. Transport Min.: We are creating conditions for further development of the supply chain

The initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport in the fields of combined transport and the supply chain, were outlined by the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, in charge of Transport, Mr. Michalis Papadopoulos at the online Conference “Transportation & Logistics II”.

The Deputy Minister of Transport, as Vice President of the Government Committee for the Development of the Supply Chain, chaired by the Deputy Minister of Development and Investment Mr. Nikos Papathanasis, stressed that the sector of combined transport and Logistics is one of the dynamic sectors contributing to the national economy with about 1/10 of GDP and is constantly growing, helping to stimulate employment by creating new jobs.

He noted that the supply chain, during the pandemic, ensured the uninterrupted provision of freight services nationally and internationally as a result of efficient cooperation with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

Mr. Papadopoulos set as a priority the updating of the Logistics Action Plan. As he said:

“According to the Logistics Development and Competitiveness Council, it was found that this process of updating the existing National Logistics Action Plan is nearing completion.

Our priorities are:

• Attracting international freight flows, increasing transit cargo and providing value-added services.
• Reducing the negative environmental impact of transport and enhancing sustainable mobility.
• The transition to low carbon logistics,
• The digital transformation of transport and the provision of innovative transport and mobility services with the application of Intelligent Transport Systems technologies.
• Investments in new technologies, in order to record freight flow data and to manage them optimally.”

Mr. Papadopoulos stressed that in each of these units the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has undertaken important actions. In particular, he pointed out that:

“In terms of improving infrastructure, the railway will be connected to major ports, industrial areas and freight centers.

The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Mr. Costas Karamanlis, has launched six emblematic railway projects with a total budget of € 4 billion in collaboration with ERGOSE.

The train that currently serves the freight operations in Piraeus, will be connected with the other major ports: Thessaloniki, Patras, Alexandroupoli, Lavrio and Rafina.

This development will form a new trade map with more gateways, which will improve the interconnection of Greece with the rest of Southeastern Europe.

In addition, it is important to add value by developing processing facilities here, in order for the goods that arrive in our country to leave the Greek borders in the form of a final product.

OSE signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation with ETVA, on the subject of the railway connection of the industrial area with the central railway network “.

Mr. Papadopoulos also stressed that in the National Recovery Plan there is care for the upgrade of the telecommunications infrastructure of OSE, but also investment in the fifth generation (5G) wireless networks in the six (6) Greek highways with a total length of over 2,000 kilometers.

In addition, he referred to the relocation of about 350 logistics companies from Eleonas to Fili, which has been approved by the Government Committee on Strategic Contracts.

Summing up, he said: “Overall, we are creating a transport system that will be more efficient, with better transhipment conditions, useful traffic management systems and a lower environmental footprint. “And we are always open to consulting with all stakeholders and we are willing to make the necessary adjustments and improvements, when appropriate.”