Thessaloniki is stepping onto the global logistics map with the launch of a new Supply Chain Management Centre operated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Minister of National Economy and Finance Kyriakos Pierrakakis presented the facility—located in Kalochori, on the city’s outskirts—as a strategic opportunity for Greek businesses to access international humanitarian procurement contracts worth up to $1.7 billion annually.
A Global Hub Rooted in Local Ambition
The IOM’s new logistics hub will be housed in a modern, purpose-adapted facility in Kalochori. The Greek government has also instructed the National Development Fund to proceed with preparations for a permanent IOM Logistics Centre—a project with a total budget of €5 million.
The selection of Thessaloniki reflects a successful bid by the Greek side. According to Pierrakakis, hosting the IOM’s Global Supply Chain Management Centre represents a ‘national success’, underscoring Greece’s ability to attract high-profile international institutions. This achievement is especially significant given the scale of IOM’s procurement operations: the organization manages over $1 billion in annual humanitarian procurement, with volumes reaching as high as $1.7 billion in certain years.
More Than a Facility—A Catalyst for Growth
The centre is not merely about housing an international agency in northern Greece. It is designed to serve as a gateway—connecting Greek suppliers, logistics firms, universities, and research institutions with global humanitarian supply chains. While Greece currently holds a relatively low share of IOM procurement contracts, the minister framed this as a major opportunity. The Thessaloniki hub is expected to act as a multiplier for domestic entrepreneurship and expand Greek participation in international tenders.
For Thessaloniki itself, the decision underscores its geographic and infrastructural advantages. Strategically positioned at the crossroads of Europe, the Balkans, and the Eastern Mediterranean, the city offers direct access to Southeastern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Its port, transport infrastructure, integration into the EU single market, and skilled local workforce formed the core rationale behind the IOM’s choice.
Early Impact Already Visible
The centre is already operational—not just a future plan. In its first few months, it has supported 21 international missions, managed over 20,000 cubic metres of humanitarian cargo, and contributed to crisis response efforts in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Mozambique, and Sudan.