According to reports, the Superfund’s tender for the development of the port of Elefsina—one of the most significant development projects for Western Attica and, more broadly, for the coastal front of the industrial zone—is expected to launch in June. According to the same sources, the tender documents are being finalized in order to launch the process for the sub-concession of a portion of the port’s land area.
The process is expected to attract significant investor interest, as the port boasts a strategic geographic location, direct connections to major road networks, and significant growth prospects in sectors such as freight, energy, shipbuilding, and the supply chain.
In recent years, Elefsina has been undergoing a gradual transformation, seeking to move beyond its image as a purely industrial area and establish a new developmental identity. The port is considered a key element of this transition, as it can serve as a gateway for investment, job creation, and the revitalization of the entire region.
The Development of Vlycha
The Superfund’s plan stipulates that the tender will concern the sub-concession of a portion of the land area of the Elefsina Port Authority, at the Vlycha site, an area of approximately 800 acres that currently remains largely undeveloped and is linked to the region’s heavy industrial history.
This specific zone currently houses old industrial and port facilities, storage areas, and activities of limited commercial value, while for years it has been a degraded area next to the Gulf of Elefsina.
The plan calls for its transformation into a modern commercial and logistics hub, with potential for the development of activities related to shipping, the supply chain, energy, and the shipbuilding industry.
The AKTOR and ONEX Plan
The strategic importance that the port of Elefsina could acquire for the economy, energy, shipping, and multimodal transport was recently highlighted at a conference by by Alexandros Exarchou, CEO of the AKTOR Group, and Panos Xenokostas, Chairman and CEO of the ONEX Group.
It should be noted that the two companies have already announced their partnership to bid for the project.
The two executives outlined a plan that goes beyond the simple commercial development of a port and involves the creation of a new hub for logistics, shipbuilding, energy, and transportation, with a broader impact on the Greek economy and the country’s geostrategic role.
According to Alexandros Exarchou, Greece needs more and better-organized ports, as geopolitical developments, shifts in trade flows, and the increased need for energy transportation are creating a new landscape for Southeast Europe.
As he noted, Elefsina possesses significant comparative advantages, as it is located near Attica, can be connected to rail and road networks, and has available space for the development of organized logistics centers.
According to him, the port’s development can complement Piraeus and contribute to the creation of a second strong transshipment hub, capable of meeting the increased trade and energy needs of Northern and Central Europe.
The Energy Role and LNG
Alexandros Exarchou directly linked Elefsina to the so-called “vertical energy corridor” and Europe’s new needs for natural gas and LNG. As he noted, the European Union’s gradual weaning off Russian natural gas is creating significant demand for new energy facilities, storage, and LNG transportation.
“The issue is not just the price; it is also about securing supply,” he emphasized, warning that Europe will need significant new volumes of LNG in the coming years.
In the same context, Panos Xenokostas emphasized that Elefsina can evolve into a comprehensive port and industrial hub, combining commercial activities, shipyards, logistics, and energy services.
As he noted, the goal is to create a “holistic infrastructure”, where a ship will be able to load and unload cargo, undergo repairs, refuel, and at the same time connect directly to rail and road networks.
“It is not simply a commercial venture,” he emphasized, noting that the plan involves creating a new ecosystem centered on the sea, shipping, and energy.
According to him, one of the key benefits that could result is the strengthening of intermodal transport and the faster movement of goods from Greece to the rest of Europe.
The Chairman and CEO of ONEX noted that connecting the port to rail, road networks, and shipyards can reduce transport times and costs, while also creating conditions for the development of new activities related to the supply chain.
He also made special mention of shipbuilding and maintenance, noting that the operation of a modern port in conjunction with shipyards can create a comprehensive network of services for the shipping industry.
As he noted, a ship will be able to carry out loading and unloading, refueling, technical support, and repairs all within the same area—a factor that, in his view, significantly enhances the country’s competitiveness.
At the same time, Panos Xenokostas linked the development of Elefsina to the need to create new energy and port facilities for LNG, which he described as a key transition fuel for shipping and industry.
“It’s here to stay,” he said of LNG, noting that alternative technologies do not yet have the scale required to meet market needs.
According to him, the development of the relevant infrastructure can generate new investments, new jobs, and greater domestic added value in the shipping, energy, and transportation sectors.
The geopolitical dimension
The two leaders also highlighted the geopolitical dimension of the project, noting that Greece could assume a stronger role in international energy and trade flows.
Alexandros Exarchou noted that geopolitical shifts and competition between the U.S. and China are reshaping the transportation and energy landscape, creating new opportunities for the country.
For his part, Panos Xenokostas emphasized that ports, shipyards, and energy and transportation networks can no longer operate in isolation but must be treated as a unified ecosystem.
As he noted, connecting ports to inland networks and to activities surrounding shipyards is a critical prerequisite for Greece to achieve a greater economic and geopolitical footprint in the coming years.
SOURCE: APE-MPE