TIPED: Until 14 May the submission of an expression of interest for the port of Lavrio

In a new era goes the , the historic port of Attica, after the start of the competition by the , for its use by submitting an interest by interested investors until 14 May to obtain a majority percentage. The history of the port is directly linked to the mines of Attica while in the early 1870s it was the only port in Greece to which ships of capacity of more than 1,600 tonnes were assigned for the transport of fuel and mineral products. In today’s season, this port has an increasing trend in cruise passengers and ferrying, and the number of yachts that choose this port for docking is significant. The port of Lavrio with revenues of 6.5m euros in 2023 versus 6.3m euros in 2022, remains a magnet for most foreign and Greek companies, since it is very close to the airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” but also in popular tourist destinations such as the Cyclades. Also the future connection of the port with the Suburban creates new data in the transport of cruise passengers and the ferry. Port industry staff estimate that this port has all the specifications in order to establish itself as an important tourist development centre in the wider Mediterranean region. The total cruise passengers for 2023 amounted to 139,222 passengers while for 2024 an increase of 20% is expected. The passenger traffic of passengers and vehicles for ferry ships from 2019 onwards, with a slight decline in 2020 and 2021, has been increasing. In particular from the port of Lavrio in 2019 a total of 238,370 passengers and 69,520 vehicles for Cyclades and northern Aegean, 2020 187,454 passengers and 61,550 vehicles, 2021 228,363 passengers and 75,896 vehicles, 2022 301,255 passengers and 94,934 vehicles and 2023 318,142 passengers and 100,584 vehicles were departed. Interesting from giant cruises The call for interest from the TAIPED for the launch of the competition concerns the acquisition of a majority percentage (at least 50% plus one share) from the share capital of the Lavrio Port Authority. In this way it is estimated that the surplus value will increase and then the Fund will offer another percentage for sale. TAIPEDE will assess the Events of Interest to be submitted by 14 May and invite all interested persons who will be judged to meet the Criteria for Selection of the Invitation to participate in the second phase of the Contest Process. Interest in this port has already been reportedly expressed by the cruise companies MSC Cruises but also by Carnival and large companies associated with the activity of recreational craft. In fact, MSC officials have already held information meetings about this port with its cruise ships active for 10 months on an annual basis in Aegean and Mediterranean ports. The course of the cruise to the port of Lavrio is expected to increase even further in the following period since agreements have already been made on ship approaches for 2024 and 2025 with companies that have not used the port of Lavrio until now. The developer of the cruise in this port was Celestyal Cruises who is active today. Only from Celestyal Cruises in 2023 were moved to the port of Lavrio 70,000 passengers who had arrived in Athens from distant destinations. Also in 2023 more than 365 passing recreational craft were docked in this port, compared to 179 for 2022, showing an increase of 104%. It is noted that in 2022 the Lavrio Port Authority completed all necessary procedures and studies for the supply and placement of floating projectors in order to increase the number of porting positions of recreational craft by 195 places. The main activities of the Lavrio Port Authority consist of the provision of docking services to commercial vessels carrying bulk, general cargo and containers, cruise ships and to tourist vessels, fishing vessels and recreational craft. The Company also has the right to use and exploit ports of Legren and Bromoposio, which are currently used for a naval purpose. Source: RES-AE