The Board of PPA SA, and after further investigation of the seabed foundation (from NTU and HCMR) and the decisions of the Technical Council, approved the continuation of the project “construction of a new cruise quay in Ag. Nikolaos”, which as is known is part of the NSRF (ROP Attica) and already running. The project will be completed by the end of 2013, so along with the new International Cruise Passenger Terminal C (Agios Nikolaos) will be set to operate as of the new cruise season, which begins on April 1st, 2014.
With the operation of the two new cruise ship berthing locations, the total number of cruise berths will rise to 11 in 2014, and after approval by the EU and new platforms for new generation vessels (2-3) even with a subsidy of 95%, the positions will increase by 2016 to 14 berths, making Piraeus the largest hub for cruise ships in Europe and the only large modern hub in the Mediterranean.
As the President and CEO of PPA SA, Mr. George Anomeritis commented: “Cruising is the second major activity for PPA, after the Container Terminal. The increasing development of the work of the sector justifies the particular investment care of PPA towards its customers, as well as the evolution of its own investment project. The cruise industry issue, after the recent decision by PPA SA to join projects in the NSRF, is no longer concerned with the infrastructure in the port of Piraeus, but in all regional ports, and in this direction the Hellenic Ports Association (Elime) is now intensively working towards.