What is the new Thessaloniki Commercial Center that will be a “gate” of goods – services for Northern Greece

Commercial pole of international scope is preparing to become the as they gradually enter the bases to create a modern center in the city over time. The reason for the creation of the new freight centre – logistics Thessaloniki, or the use of the former Gonos camp. By relevant law it has been granted by way of use to GAIAOSE S.A., a subsidiary of the Hypertame (NSYP SA), a plot (ownership of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance) of over 670,000 sq.m. located in the wider area of Thessaloniki and in particular the Municipality of Delta, and is part of the former Gonos camp. In fact, it is considered a matter of time from the market to publish the announcement of an important competition, from the unit for the development of a large freight centre in Thessaloniki. The property has a railway connection to the OSE Commercial Station and the OLI, but has been abandoned and needs to be upgraded. The location of the property, its large area and rail connection make it particularly attractive for the development of a freight centre of combined transport of superlocal importance. The project will connect the port of Thessaloniki with the Balkans and eastern Europe through combined transport of road and rail networks. In recent days information has been released that GAIAOSE’s Board “lights the green” to promote the announcement, but also that the competition is soon expected from TAIPEDE. If this information is confirmed, the concession agreement may be signed in mid-2025. The decision of TAIPED and GAIAOSE was preceded by a decision on the optimal framework for the exploitation of the area of the former Gonos camp’s 672 acres through concessions for the development, licensing, construction, operation, exploitation and maintenance of a Business Park, in order to be used as a modern freight centre for combined transport, which will function as a host of business activities and logistics chain operations. The construction and operation of a Business Park at the former Gonu Camp focusing on the Supply Chain and Logistics – a business plan is estimated to be a pioneering project, which will highlight the country at a portal of international freight transport, especially in the north. In particular, it is expected to expand the portals of the Greek market in the Balkans and highlight Thessaloniki and Northern Greece in general, as a hub for logistics and cross-border transfers, as required by international developments, with multiple benefits for the entire national economy. Recent information has reported that the financing and development of the project investment will be done through a concession agreement, and the estimated budget is between EUR 155 million – 260 million, depending on the development strategy, i.e. depending on the mix of logistics and processing uses to be selected. In addition, benefits of more than EUR 325 million are expected in Gross Value Added terms, with 30% of them being immediate. The former camp occupies a strategic position at the western entrance of Thessaloniki, located within walking distance with important road, rail and coastal hubs. In particular, it is located about 3 km from Egnatia Road and 500 m from the railway line. The last attempt to exploit the former Gonos camp had taken place in 2018 – without success – due to the low maturity of the property to attract investment interest.