Chinese Cosco modernizes Greek port of Piraeus

Α Decrease font Enlarge font
Chinese Cosco modernizes Greek port of PiraeusThe attraction of foreign direct investments is critical for the recovery of Greece's stricken economy and further promotion of its promising tourist industry

ATHENS – Greek Shipping Minister Panayiotis Kouroublis, whose Radical Left SYRIZA party didn’t want foreign investors, is jumping on the bandwagon praising them, lauding the Chinese company Cosco which took over the port of Piraeus with modernizing it.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is chasing more foreign businesses, especially those from China, as he reneged on promises to reverse privatizations he said were selling off state assets at fire sale prices, speeding the pace on orders of international creditors.

Kouroublis, under fire last September over an oil slick when an unchecked tanker spilled content off Piraeus and onto beaches, heaped kudos on Cosco in an interview with the Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

That came as the company was beginning new projects to upgrade Greece’s largest harbor where work had been stagnant for years and as international cruise ship companies are looking to bring in more vessels packed with tourists and were looking for better facilities.

Work has started to upgrade the harbor ahead of the arrival of the new floating dock Piraeus III, at the end of February, in a project China Cosco Shipping, launched last June, Greek national news agency ANA-MPA reported.

Since China Cosco Shipping acquired a majority stake in Piraeus Port Authority (OLP) and took over the management in 2016 after winning an international tender, the image of the harbor has been changing rapidly and for the better despite protests from Greek workers who didn’t want it changing hands.

The new works include dredging the harbor to create up to 20 meters of operating depth, providing new electricity and water supply networks, and installing four mooring buoys for anchoring ships.

The new floating repair dock – 240 meters (780.7 feet) long, 45 meters (147.63 feet) wide, 22,000 tons lifting capacity and full crane equipment – will be able to service ships with a capacity of 80,000 tons.

“The projects that have started at Perama and will proceed with the lifting of two wrecks off Pier II by the Shipping Ministry, so that the infrastructure for the installation of PPA’s large floating dock can be created, show how smoothly the cooperation of the Greek government with the investors is progressing,” Kouroublis said.

“They also show that the Shipping Ministry’s policy will continue to facilitate any development activity stemming from Cosco’s contractual obligations regarding bureaucracy and other obstacles,” the Greek official told Xinhua.

“At the same time, we support workers’ rights by welcoming the latest agreement between employees and the OLP for the signing of a Collective Labor Agreement,” the minister said, ironically as the government is trying to limit the rights of Greek workers and bar strikes.

Tsipras’ partner, Betty Baziana, also in an interview with a left-wing newspaper said that private workers have no merit because they are working for personal profit and not the common good.

Shipping officials have said that ships will no longer need to carry out repair and maintenance operations in other Mediterranean shipyards, while this move is also expected to create new jobs in the Greek market.

Speaking to Xinhua, George Koumpenas, Vice President of Operations at Celestyal Cruises, said the works will help significantly for his industry and Greek shipbuilders, with Greek shipping companies dominating the world’s waves.

“In recent years, due to a lack of suitable dock sizes, companies have been obliged to dock our vessels to neighboring countries such as Malta, Turkey and Croatia. This has resulted in the loss of significant revenues for the national economy,” he explained.

“The installation and operation of a large floating dock will help maintain and develop the shipbuilding industry in the wider Piraeus and Perama areas, as an important criterion for the choice of the port for seafaring companies is the ability to make repairs,” Koumpenas told the news agency.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: GreeceGreek tourism newsTourism in GreeceGreek islandsHotels in GreeceTravel to GreeceGreek destinations Greek travel marketGreek tourism statisticsGreek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Dkoukoul License: CC-BY-SA

Source: thenationalherald.com

 

Tornos
  1. 13/02 19:13

    Greek Tourism Minister meets with the Ambassadors of Algeria and Romania

  2. 13/02 17:19

    Halkidiki: The Greek paradise that fascinates Italy

  3. 13/02 15:16

    Dertour acquires Hotelplan Group without Interhome

  4. 13/02 12:57

    FORTH's new Research and Culture Multi-Cultural Center opens in Heraklion

  5. 13/02 12:54

    Sun d’Or: 5 weekly connections to Heraklion in the summer of 2025

  6. 13/02 12:51

    New general manager of IHG for Oman, Qatar and Bahrain

  7. 13/02 12:10

    How VW is extending the tourist season in Greece - which hotel did it open for its sake

  8. 13/02 12:03

    Athenian Carnival with a multitude of activities in the seven municipal communities

  9. 13/02 12:00

    This year, access to the Kourtaliotiko Gorge in Rethymno will be by ticket

  10. 13/02 09:47

    Payments of subsidies for hotel investments in Zagori, Xylokastro, and Sivota

  11. 13/02 09:35

    Forbes Awards to 15 Greek hotels – The three trends changing luxury travel

  12. 13/02 08:41

    Amfilochia: Development of digital content for tourism promotion

  13. 13/02 07:44

    Cooperation network of municipalities of Eastern Mani and Gavdos and for tourism

  14. 12/02 20:46

    Patras Carnival | Prices and occupancy skyrocketing - Indicative "price list"

  15. 12/02 20:27

    Alexandros Vassilikos was honored today by the North Aegean Region

  16. 12/02 20:19

    Olympic Holidays | Albania is a new destination this summer - additions to Greece and Cyprus

  17. 12/02 19:15

    Museum of Cycladic Art | Unknown Stories of Women of the Cyclades islands

  18. 12/02 16:10

    The Israeli Ambassador to Greece visits the Heraklion Chamber

  19. 12/02 15:03

    Royal Caribbean International | Cruises from Piraeus in the summer of 2025

  20. 12/02 14:59

    Smartwings Poland: New charter flights to Kavala in 2025

  21. 12/02 13:05

    Eurowings launches new tour operator in Germany - aiming to reach top-10

  22. 12/02 12:56

    Tourism | Halkidiki among the steadily growing destinations in Greece

  23. 12/02 12:51

    Thessaloniki, the main port of the Balkans - The port's Master Plan

  24. 12/02 11:37

    11th Birthday for Discovergreece.com 

  25. 12/02 07:31

    Expansion and promotion of the Explore Ionian Islands application

  26. 12/02 07:18

    The Region of Western Greece travels to New York

  27. 12/02 07:11

    Tourism: Where will Germans travel in 2025 - Greece's position

  28. 12/02 06:23

    The X-ray of Corfu's 5 main tourist markets

  29. 12/02 01:04

    Direct connection of Chania airport to Israel to be strengthened

  30. 11/02 21:17

    Attica taxi drivers' union to organize 24-hour strike on February 19

  31. 11/02 20:11

    Greek Tourism Minister and S. Korean Ambassador talk sector cooperation

  32. 11/02 17:31

    The Athens Hoteliers Association celebrates its 80th anniversary

  33. 11/02 17:07

    Barclays and Wyndham renew co-branded credit card partnership

  34. 11/02 16:28

    The flagship project "Urban Regeneration of parts of Eastern Kalamaria" underway

  35. 11/02 16:15

    Commission: European Water Resilience Strategy in public consultation

  36. 11/02 15:37

    Greek Tourism: Heading for new records in 2025 from 5 major markets

  37. 11/02 12:50

    TUI | Greece at the top of summer bookings

  38. 11/02 12:47

    Etihad: With the new Airbus A321neo LR, the Abu Dhabi - Athens connection in 2026

  39. 11/02 12:47

    The Athens Municipal Library reopens on February 11, 2025

  40. 11/02 08:59

    Kos as a pioneering center for sustainable island development

  41. 11/02 08:44

    Psara: Tourism development with an emphasis on the rich historical heritage

  42. 11/02 07:55

    Lycabettus Run Race on Lycabettus Hill on February 23rd

  43. 11/02 07:52

    Croatia | 9 international airports support tourism development - connectivity with Greece

  44. 11/02 01:39

    What the Israeli Ambassador discussed at the Chania Chamber

  45. 10/02 16:58

    Saudia: New seasonal connection Jeddah – Heraklion in summer 2025

  46. 10/02 14:54

    Opening Crete to the Indian and Asian tourism market

  47. 10/02 14:40

    1 in 4 fall in love while traveling - Valentine's Day survey

  48. 10/02 09:34

    Expedia Group: 12% more nights in 2024

  49. 10/02 07:49

    Decisions for 6 hotels in Rhodes, Spetses, Crete, Kalamata, and Agia Marina Fthiotidas

  50. 10/02 07:44

    Greek yachting at the BOOT exhibition

  51. 09/02 19:36

    Rethymno Carnival 2025 | The event of the theme “Come to the Light” is fantastic

  52. 09/02 07:32

    How can tourism contribute to the growth of Greek cosmetic products in Britain

  53. 09/02 07:29

    Castle scholars from all over the world promote Frogakastello in Crete

  54. 08/02 18:02

    Landing of Kantanos-Selinou Municipality in Reisen Hamburg 2025 exhibition

  55. 08/02 08:24

    Chris Nassetta, Hilton: Optimistic about 2025 despite market challenges

  56. 08/02 07:19

    Seven shipwrecks removed from Pylos marina

  57. 07/02 23:09

    Grant payments for 4 hotel investments in Paxos, Lefkada, Zakynthos and Chania

  58. 07/02 18:40

    Olga Kefalogianni in HORECA | Greece has experience in managing natural phenomena

  59. 07/02 15:06

    FedHATTA: “Opening up” of Greek travel agencies to the Iranian market

  60. 07/02 14:35

    New Head of Hotel Purchasing at alltours

  61. 07/02 13:49

    ShortStay Conference 2025 returns to Athens

  62. 07/02 13:26

    Applications for the Best Tourism Villages 2025 are now open

  63. 07/02 13:02

    Springer Reisen: 20 connections to Greek islands this summer

  64. 07/02 12:26

    Greece: Nearly 30 million international air arrivals in 2024 - Who traveled where

  65. 07/02 11:19

    Europe as a single tourist destination - A. Fiorentinos at the Destination Europe Summit 2025

  66. 07/02 06:55

    Positive prospects for tourism in 2025 but major “thorns” remain

  67. 07/02 06:41

    British travel agents “discover” Naxos - Record arrivals in 2024

  68. 07/02 06:14

    Donation from HEDNO for the restoration of the Ottoman Bath of Kalloni in Lesvos

  69. 06/02 18:58

    Work on the Thessaloniki Flyover is progressing at a rapid pace

  70. 06/02 18:54

    Sports Tourism | Ministerial meeting for the Euroleague Coaches Conference 2025

  71. 06/02 18:25

    29.3 million international air arrivals in 2024, with clear signs of an extended season

  72. 06/02 16:43

    Artificial intelligence in tourism: what TUI research shows

  73. 06/02 15:49

    Greece, a holiday and investment destination for Arabs

  74. 06/02 14:42

    Sotheby’s: The Athenian Riviera is first in demand for luxury properties

  75. 06/02 13:48

    More flights to Greece in 2025 from the Irish market

  76. 06/02 12:05

    Travelers are paying attention to cost and quality, few to sustainability

  77. 06/02 11:57

    Wyndham and HR Group expand into Germany, Austria and the Netherlands

  78. 06/02 07:37

    How will Naxos deal with the risk of water shortages ahead of the tourist season

  79. 06/02 07:28

    Attica Region: There is no overtourism in Athens - a warning for infrastructure

  80. 06/02 07:16

    Grant payments for 4 hotel investments in Rhodes, Chania, Itilo and Sivota

  81. 06/02 07:05

    Crete will send its visitors for greens!

  82. 06/02 06:11

    Municipality of Folegandros: Prohibition of roaming or grazing animals in tourist areas

  83. 05/02 19:57

    Milos Municipality attempts to block second investment for 5-star hotel

  84. 05/02 19:03

    National Action Plan for Cycling, with development in cycling tourism

  85. 05/02 16:51

    Curtain Call for the 2025 Rethymno Carnival

  86. 05/02 15:46

    Ryanair: New Brussels – Volos connection in summer 2025

  87. 05/02 12:41

    The first robotic restaurant with artificial intelligence at Barcelona Airport

  88. 05/02 12:40

    Athens Airport: 2025 started on a positive note,+14.5% passengers in January

  89. 05/02 12:35

    How foreign travel professionals will promote Greek destinations

  90. 05/02 11:45

    Tourism: 4 Greek islands capture Americans’ 2025 vacation interest

  91. 05/02 07:04

    Grants for a boat shelter in Halkidiki and hotels in Chania, Zagori, and Koroni

  92. 05/02 07:02

    5 new hotel investments in the Greek siland of Crete

  93. 05/02 06:53

    Conde Nast Traveller | Crete among the 29 best places to visit before summer

  94. 05/02 06:22

    The big bet of the next 10 years for Aegean Airways

  95. 05/02 06:14

    Travel agents’ introduction to Kalamata

  96. 05/02 06:13

    Holy Metropolis of Rhodes: Digital Promotion of Museums Network and Monuments

  97. 05/02 06:09

    Grand Egyptian Museum to open on July 3

  98. 04/02 22:49

    Main Patras-Pyrgos highway section due to finish July 31, open to traffic soon

  99. 04/02 20:18

    Hellenic Republic President to receive new Ambassadors of Vietnam, Ireland, and Sweden

  100. 04/02 19:53

    Celestyal: Free cabin upgrades on select cruises