V. Kikilias: “13 major port projects worth €78.4 million completed across Greece”

Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Vassilis Kikilias announced the completion of 13 major port infrastructure upgrade projects, with a total budget of €78.4 million. Covering both island and mainland locations across Greece, the projects improve port safety, functionality, accessibility and resilience. They form part of the Ministry’s broader plan to modernise port infrastructure and improve connectivity for islands and coastal areas.

The works were funded primarily through the “Greece 2.0” National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Several projects also drew on national and regional funding, the implementing bodies’ own resources and other development funds.

The programme includes dredging and the restoration of operational depths, repairs to breakwaters and quays, the construction of new landing facilities and ramps, improvements to mooring and safety infrastructure, coastal protection works, port road connections and measures to improve accessibility in landside port areas.

Of particular importance are the projects in Alexandroupolis, at the Holy Monastery of Great Lavra, in Stylida and in Volos, with a combined budget of approximately €59.3 million. These strengthen navigation, commercial operations, connectivity and the resilience of critical port infrastructure.

In Alexandroupolis, the works included dredging the harbour basin and navigation channel, as well as connecting the port by road to the new ring road. In Stylida, dredging of the harbour basin and widening of the navigation channel were completed to allow vessels to enter more safely. In Volos, the port’s operational depths were restored following the damage caused by storms Daniel and Elias.

At the Holy Monastery of Great Lavra, a new landing pier and breakwater, an access road, bridges and a parking area were constructed. At the Holy Monastery of Iviron, a new breakwater was built, the pier was extended and access infrastructure was upgraded.

Works were also completed on Ios, restoring quays, lighting, utility connections and safety equipment; in Argostoli, redeveloping the waterfront with a pavement, cycle path and accessibility infrastructure; and in Heraklion, repairing damage to the main breakwater and extending its protective armour.

On Symi, quays were built at Petalo, together with new mooring infrastructure. At Lakki on Leros, the passenger and vehicle ferry pier was restored and its protective armour reinforced. In Agia Roumeli, a new ramp was built for passenger and vehicle ferries, enabling safer approaches even in adverse conditions.

On Megisti (Kastellorizo), emergency port restoration and protection works were carried out. In Sitia, submerged breakwaters were constructed and beach nourishment works undertaken to protect the coastline.

Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Vassilis Kikilias stated:

“The value of a project becomes clear when it is delivered to people and makes their daily lives better. With the Recovery and Resilience Facility as our main funding instrument, we are turning available resources into completed projects, and those projects into a better quality of life for our citizens. That is how we measure our work: by the results that reach people. Safer, more functional ports that support life and development in every area. We are not stopping here. We are continuing to use national and European resources to deliver better, safer infrastructure.”

Six of the projects combine funding from the Recovery and Resilience Facility with resources from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy’s Sectoral Development Programme, as well as regional and national funding or the implementing bodies’ own resources.

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy is continuing to implement its plan, with port safety and infrastructure upgrades consistently at its core, drawing on funding from the Partnership Agreement for Regional Development (ESPA) 2021–2027 and the Ministry’s new Sectoral Development Programme 2026–2030.

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