“For our government, the need to enhance connectivity makes it essential to have appropriate infrastructure capable of supporting a modern and efficient transport system,” emphasized Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Stefanos Ghikas, at the Opening Gala of the 8th Infrastructure & Transport Conference, at the Athens Conference Center.
Mr. Gikas, highlighting the main priority of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, which is “the creation and upgrading of infrastructure in our ports, in order for the island country to become equally competitive with the mainland”, pointed out the multitude of port projects that are underway.
Projects for which, as he emphasized: “We have secured, through the NSRF’s “Transport 2021-2027″ Program, funding exceeding 180 million euros for the upgrade of 30 island ports, with an emphasis on small and remote islands, of which 21 projects have been included in the Super Fund. Furthermore, within the framework of the Recovery and Resilience Fund, over 80 million euros have been secured for interventions aimed at the upgrade of island and regional ports.”
Also, the Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy referred to the green transition of ports – especially those belonging to the Trans-European Transport Network – emphasizing that: “10 million euros have already been allocated for cold ironing studies in 4 ports (Lavrio, Rafina, Kavala, Corfu), while by 2029, 12 major ports in the country will have this capability. The Ministry’s planning foresees a total of 23 ports having cold ironing capabilities.”
For this issue, “150 million euros have been secured from the “Environment and Climate Change (PEKA) 2021-2027” program and 115 million euros from the “Decarbonization Fund””, he stated.
In addition, the Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy referred to the obligations arising from European legislation and the emphasis placed on the security of port facilities (International ISPS Code) and secure border controls (Schengen Code, Entry/Exit System – EES), with funding amounting to 50 million euros.
Concluding his statement, Mr. Gikas referred to the doubling of funds for infrastructure and transport announced by the Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, describing the decision as “of paramount importance”, while also emphasizing the importance of the private sector’s contribution to the entire effort to upgrade port infrastructure.
The 8th Infrastructure & Transport Conference is held under the auspices of the Ministries of Infrastructure and Transport, Shipping and Island Policy, and with the support of more than 25 bodies and organizations from both sectors. This year’s event is expected to attract more than 1,500 participants, confirming its importance for the infrastructure and transport sectors.
