With preparations for the new 2028–2034 European funding period and the upgrading of port infrastructure at the centre of the agenda, the 8th meeting of the board of the Hellenic Ports Association (ELIME) concluded on Friday, 23 October, in Corfu.
The meeting was hosted at the facilities of the Corfu Port Authority (OLKE), in the presence of Stefanos Gikas, Deputy Minister for Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy.
Discussions focused on developing joint proposals for funding opportunities over the next seven years, guided by the needs of ports, maritime connectivity, competitiveness and the growth prospects of local communities.
The discussion was also linked to Greece taking over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July 2027.
European funding and port infrastructure
The meeting examined opportunities offered by the European Competitiveness Fund, the Connecting Europe Facility 2028–2034, which has a proposed transport budget of €51.5 billion, Horizon Europe and the Innovation Fund.
The Military Mobility initiative for dual-use infrastructure was also discussed, with particular emphasis on the needs of small, medium-sized and island ports.
Under current national planning, 21 port projects with a total budget of €180 million are being taken forward through the “Transport 2021–2027” programme.
Three of these are in the regional unit of Corfu — at Mathraki, Othonoi and Agios Stefanos Avliotes — and aim to improve infrastructure and maritime connectivity.
The project at the port of Lefkimmi is part of the Ionian Islands Regional Programme.
The meeting also heard that 13 port projects worth about €70 million had been completed through the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and that a further €25 million had been made available through the Ministry of Maritime Affairs’ National Development Programme.
Stefanos Gikas, Deputy Minister for Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, said:
“We see ELIME as an arm for implementing our policies, but also for advancing our country’s interests. Our ports do more than serve ferry links. They are gateways for entry and trade, and key links in the supply chain”.
Panagiotis Anastasopoulos, chairman of the board of the Hellenic Ports Association, said:
“The new European funding period 2028–2034 is a significant opportunity to modernise Greek ports and strengthen their competitiveness. ELIME is working systematically to develop a common framework of priorities that will enable Greek ports to make effective use of the available European funds.
Strengthening cooperation between Adriatic ports is also particularly important, with Corfu holding a strategic position as a gateway connecting Greece with the wider region. Through joint initiatives and partnerships, we can improve connectivity and enhance the role of Greek ports in European transport networks.
Holding the meeting in Corfu also gave us the opportunity to see first-hand the capabilities of its port facilities and the work carried out by the management of the Corfu Port Authority, highlighting the port’s significant prospects for further development and its strategic role in the wider Adriatic region”.
Dimitris Apergis, chief executive of the Corfu Port Authority, said:
“Hosting the board of ELIME in Corfu gave representatives of Greek ports the opportunity to see the different functions of our port first-hand. On the day of the meeting, two cruise ships were in port and homeporting operations were under way, giving participants a direct view of its capabilities.
In addition to ferry services and the international passenger connection with Albania, our port serves cruise ships and homeporting, combining different port functions.
Holding ELIME meetings at different ports allows us to learn about the specific features of each destination and exchange views on the needs of ports, local communities and regions. For us, this exchange of experience is an essential tool for strategic planning, aimed at developing modern, competitive ports that create added value for local economies and strengthen the country’s wider connectivity”.