The fund is proceeding with the preparation of a new business plan aiming to be ready in a few months time and incorporating the needs developed the developments of the last months. As is the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, but also the upgrading of the role of the port in the transport of goods in Southeast Europe, as another option in relation to the Dardanelles.
In this context, as reported by factors with knowledge of the whole situation, investments aimed at upgrading the infrastructure of the port will be promoted. For example, docking larger ships and serving commercial customers, taking into account the military presence there. Meanwhile, there will also be staff recruitment, as well as infrastructure procurement.
At the same time, as mentioned by the aforementioned factors, a master plan (which will include the business plan) for the environmental studies will also be promoted. The specific master plan, can be undertaken by HRADF, given that it has the necessary expertise. The Fund already assumes this role for all the ports included in its portfolio, while, in consultation with the competent Ministry of Shipping, this role can be extended to all the country's ports.
The largest port of Thrace
The port of Alexandroupolis is the largest port in Thrace and is the most important commercial hub of the wider region, as it serves passenger, commercial, fishing and tourist vessels. It is connected by ferry to Samothraki, and during the summer season there are routes to the islands of the Northeast Aegean.
Among its advantages is the fact that it is connected to the railway axis to Thessaloniki, as well as to Egnatia Odos. At the same time, it will acquire an additional "qualification", as the railway connection with ports in Bulgaria is already underway and there will also be the possibility to load and unload goods from ships to wagons and vice versa, at the piers. Finally, according to existing information, the port is at the center of plans for liquefied natural gas imports to the Balkans, through the promoted construction of a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant.
