Thessaloniki port upgraded with Chinese management system

Τhe management of Thessaloniki port authority (OLTH) is laying the foundations for the creation of a state-of-the-art "smart" port as part of its strategic plans.

At the heart of this is strategy is a goal to strengthen the competitiveness of the port of Thessaloniki, in order to be able to gain market share, both from the port of Piraeus, but mainly from other competing Mediterranean ports, mainly in Turkey and Northern Italy.

In addition to upgrading and expanding the port's infrastructure, as is expected to happen with the expansion of the 6th pier for the transportation of containers, the port's technological infrastructure is also being upgraded and in fact in an impressive agreement.

In particular, at the end of last week, an agreement was signed between OLTH and the Chinese group China Merchants Port Holdings Co. Ltd. (CMPort) and its subsidiary China Merchants Holdings Information Technology for the installation of a state-of-the-art information system at the northern Greek port, through which all operations will be executed. In fact, this is the first installation of a CMPort system in a European port.

Additionally, the relevant cooperation is of strategic importance for the OLTH. Specifically, CMPort has agreed to take advantage of the influence it has in ports worldwide, in order to enhance OLTH's reputation in its bid to become an important gateway for products to and from Europe. In return, OLTH will act as an ambassador of CMPort's new state-of-the-art CTOS information system in the European market.

The signatures were placed in a remote way in Thessaloniki, Shenzhen (China) and Hong Kong. Dr. Bai Jingtao, Managing Director of CMPort, and Franco Nicola Cupolo, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of OLTH, signed the cooperation agreement then, Wang Pei, General Manager of CMHIT, and Franco Nicola Cupolo signed a CTOS cooperation contract.

In his comments, Bai Jingtao said, “The port of Thessaloniki is the largest comprehensive port in the Aegean Basin and the second largest container port in Greece. It has a long history, outstanding location and shipping advantages. It is not only the main import and export gateway in northern Greece, but also an important channel and logistics hub linking Europe and Asia."

He added that the CMPort system can support both general cargo and container management, as well as pricing and location management systems for trucks and containers. "It's one of the most modern port management systems in the world. The port of Thessaloniki has a long history, an amazing location and significant transport advantages. It is not only the main import-export gateway for Northern Greece, but also an important channel and hub for transit trade, connecting Europe with Asia ".

He added that this cooperation is not limited to a system that takes the step towards Europe, but will also work to promote both sides in port areas of Europe and Asia, so that it can function as another successful example of cooperation, as part of China's initiative to create the new "Silk Road", or as it is called "Belt and Road".

The competitiveness of the Greek port will significantly increase, allowing for a larger market share and enhanced profitability. With the CTOS being installed at OLTH, it is being upgrade to a "smart" port, which translates into increased work and design automation.

Cupolo pointed out, "OLTH is implementing an extended investment plan and the curial point of these investments is the expansion of the Container Terminal, allowing to serve main liner container services and accommodate Ultra Large Container Vessels of 24,000 TEUs capacity. We believe, the implementation of CTOS will provide additional value to our shareholders, are investments and support significantly the transformation of Container Terminal to international standards. We are looking forward to the start of our cooperation with the CMPort and continuously promote sustainability to port’s development.”