Thessaloniki Pier 6 expansion begins

The €195.6 million project will extend Pier 6 by 513 metres in length and 306.5 metres in width, alongside substantial dredging of the navigation channel and manoeuvring areas, enabling the mooring of ultra large container vessels of up to 24,000 teu.

“This is not just an important piece of infrastructure, but a project that increases the operational capacity of the port, empowers the regional logistics ecosystem and generates varied and multiplier benefits at both the local and national level,” said Dr. Ioannis Tsaras, chief executive of ThPA.

The expansion will nearly double the container terminal’s capacity from 650,000 teu to 1,500,000 teu, allowing the port to serve more vessels simultaneously and significantly improving its competitiveness in southeast European trade routes.

Analysts note that the project will also deliver substantial socio-economic benefits, including contributions to GDP, public revenues and employment during construction and operation phases.

“Our joint venture is ready to fully deliver on the vision embodied in this project – a vision of growth, international connectivity and long-term prospects for the decades ahead,” said Dinos Benroubi, vice chair and chief executive of METKA ATE.

Construction is being funded from ThPA’s own capital and bank loans and is expected to take 40 months.