Greek Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Minister Christos Stylianides speaks at the inauguration ceremony of a newly expanded car terminal (RoRo) in Piraeus, Greece, Feb. 6, 2024. Greece's Piraeus port inaugurated a newly expanded car terminal (RoRo) on Tuesday, aiming big in the trans-shipment business. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
ATHENS, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Greece's Piraeus port inaugurated a newly expanded car terminal (RoRo) on Tuesday, aiming big in the trans-shipment business.
"It (the project) is an important achievement, opening new prospects for the port," Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Minister Christos Stylianides said at the inauguration ceremony.
After the expansion, the car terminal reaches 110,000 square meters, with parking slots increasing by 5,100 to 11,800. The project aims to lift the port's efficiency and competitiveness and turn Piraeus into one of the largest trans-shipment powerhouses in the Mediterranean Sea, Europe and the world.
"It (the expanded RoRo) will serve as a lever of growth for the wider region," Infrastructure and Transport Minister Christos Staikouras said.
"I am glad that COSCO's investment in the port has proved so beneficial (for all sides)," Economy and Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis said.
China's COSCO Shipping acquired the majority of Piraeus Port Authority's shares in 2016 through an international tender.
As China has become the largest automobile exporter worldwide, Piraeus will be one of the most important trans-shipment hubs for Chinese vehicles to Europe, said Chinese Ambassador to Greece Xiao Junzheng. ■
Greek Economy and Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis speaks at the inauguration ceremony of a newly expanded car terminal (RoRo) in Piraeus, Greece, Feb. 6, 2024. Greece's Piraeus port inaugurated a newly expanded car terminal (RoRo) on Tuesday, aiming big in the trans-shipment business. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
Chinese Ambassador to Greece Xiao Junzheng speaks at the inauguration ceremony of a newly expanded car terminal (RoRo) in Piraeus, Greece, Feb. 6, 2024. Greece's Piraeus port inaugurated a newly expanded car terminal (RoRo) on Tuesday, aiming big in the trans-shipment business. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
