Grimaldi has formally bought the port of Igoumenitsa. Yesterday, in fact, a deal was signed between the fund that is responsible for the management and privatisation of ports and other public assets in Greece and the joint venture between Grimaldi Euromed, Minoan Lines and Investment Construction Commercial and Industrial (Ekev).
The agreement stipulates the acquisition of 67% of the Greek port authority’s capital at a cost of 84.17 million euros.
Emanuele Grimaldi, president and CEO of Grimaldi Euromed said their main objective is to ensure that the port of Igoumenitsa achieves its full potential for the benefit of all its stakeholders, from maritime, transport and tourism operators to the local community. He said that “Our investments will facilitate the growth of the port and, at the same time, the development of the key European trade routes, of which Igoumenitsa represents the main gateway. Meanwhile, we will confirm our usual commitment to providing frequent and efficient liner services dedicated to the transport of freight and passengers between Igoumenitsa and Italy’s Adriatic coast, which are essential for traffic between Greece, Italy, Turkey and the entire Balkan peninsula. Overall, the upgrade of services in Igoumenitsa will result in more tourism, more trade flows, more local businesses, more jobs.”
“For the Port of Igoumenitsa, an era of investment, development and upgrading begins today. This course leads to the strengthening of the economic footprint of the port, new jobs, increase of commercial and passenger traffic, and, finally, to multiple benefits for the economy and society of the city of Igoumenitsa and the wider region,” said the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Ioannis Plakiotakis.
Translation by Giles Foster
