Greece: International Freight Center 2nd edition, April 2021 Executive summary ince the first edition of this survey was published in 2017, SGreece has been making progress in its efforts to becoming an international freight center, leveraging its strategic geographical location, a recovering economy and a friendlier investment environment. However, this progress has been driven primarily by developments in the shipping and the maritime logistics industries, as well as in road infrastructure. More work will be needed with regard to rail and air freight transport, hinterland logistics, the third-party logistics market (3PL), customs services and, above all, the interconnectivity of these distinct nodes of the Greek transport and logistics industry (T&L). The shipping and maritime logistics industry is steadily on the rise Shipping is, undoubtedly, one of the strongest cards of the Greek economy, contributing around €11b – or 6.6% of the country’s GDP in 2019. The Greek- owned merchant fleet is the largest in the world, accounting for 15.6% of the global fleet in deadweight tonnage (DWT), while vessels controlled by Greeks carry 21% of global seaborne trade. The strong presence of Greek shipping companies, and the leading position Executive summary Executive of the Greek-owned fleet in the global maritime community, have been the major drivers behind the development of the Greek shipping cluster, as one of the most significant and competitive maritime centers in the world. The majority of Greek shipowners have a The Greek-owned merchant fleet is ship management office or operate the largest in the world, accounting their business from Greece and, in spite of the growing international for 15.6% of the global fleet in competition – mainly from emerging maritime centers in Asia – they still deadweight tonnage (DWT), while consider Greece as an attractive vessels controlled by Greeks carry location for establishing their ship management offices. 21% of global seaborne trade. Piraeus and the broader Attica region vision of turning Piraeus into the have been at the epicenter of this south gate of Europe is backed by a Thessaloniki: growth, attracting important shipping series of planned investments within activities, including ship management the next years, aiming at improving An important node of the companies, shipyards and shipyard infrastructure and achieving better Trans-European Transport subcontractors, port operators, freight integration with the railway and road forwarders, and third-party logistics networks, transforming the port into a Network providers (3PLPs). state-of-the-art logistics hub. The port of Thessaloniki is part of the Trans-European Transport Network Moreover, at a time when trade flows (TEN-T) and is situated in proximity between Asia and Europe continue to Piraeus: to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline grow year after year, Piraeus offers (TAP). The master plan of the port, a highly competitive end-to-end st largest commercial prepared in 2017 and approved alternative connection to the ports 1 port in the by the European Commission, sets of the Far East, compared to North clear short- and medium-term European ports, in terms of transport Mediterranean priorities for the development and duration, frequency of service and upgrade of Thessaloniki to a middle cost, allowing the country to develop th largest port in category European port; the main into a major maritime interface for 4 developmental actions aim at raising Europe. Europe in terms of the capacity of the cargo terminals, TEUs (2019 & 2020) as well as upgrading the sea cruise Piraeus has been one of the most facilities and transit services rapidly growing ports in Europe and capabilities. was the largest commercial port in the Significant investments are underway Mediterranean, and the fourth largest for the port of Thessaloniki, the among all European ports in terms of primary entry port for Northern total container throughput in 2019 Greece and an international logistics and 2020, despite the pandemic’s hub for all Balkan countries, following adverse effects on global trade. The its privatization in 2018. In total, more than 25 important without reducing performance and development of supply chain commercial seaports are currently service levels. However, they have business parks, with the first two operating in Greece, five of which have also become more positive toward major investments implemented at been identified by the EU as ports of outsourcing their basic logistics the Oinofyta industrial zone and at strategic interest and key maritime operations, allowing reliable 3PLPs, Igoumenitsa in Western Greece. interfaces of the Orient / East-Med which have invested in service quality (OEM) corridor. and innovation, to expand their market A comprehensive and modern road share and improve their performance. network leads the growth of road The Greek 3PL market grew by 4.6% freight transport 25+ in 2019 and is expected to grow by Road transport in Greece suffered an annual average rate of 2.8% in the a dramatic reduction between important commercial medium term (up to 2023). 2009 and 2015 – however, the seaports international freight component of Greek 3PL market in the road freight market has been 2019: growing steadily since its record low in 2011, boosted by the expanding 5 ports international trade through Greek of EU strategic interest +4.6% ports – primarily Piraeus. The further increase of international trade Further privatizations or concession Greek 3PL companies provide a full volumes transshipped via Greece and agreements involving some of the range of supply chain services, with the recovery of the Greek economy, main regional ports are expected to a significant part of their income can be expected to further boost road lead to additional investments and a coming from warehousing and transport activity in the coming years. strengthening of their competitiveness distribution activities, as well as from and international status. the organization and management of Greece has one of the most developed road transportation. The sector mostly road networks in Southeast Europe, Meanwhile, similar developments comprises of medium- and small-sized consisting of more than 2,145 km of beyond the ports themselves are companies, that operate in a highly highways and motorways. In terms of shaping a more competitive and competitive environment. tonnes of commercial road transport, reliable hinterland for Piraeus and Greece ranked 11th among EU the other important Greek ports. The The Thriasio Logistics Center countries in 2019, with 354m tonnes, privatization of the Greek railway headlines a series of major logistics compared to Germany’s 3.2b tonnes. operator in 2019, is expected to projects in the country lead to a faster development of the The most important logistics markets Over Greek railway network system and the have developed around Athens and addition of high- and ultra-highspeed Thessaloniki and are closely linked trains to the lines, as well as an to the country’s main international 2,145 km upgrade of the Athens–Patras route, maritime interfaces: the ports of of highways and which will make land connections with Piraeus and Thessaloniki. ferries to and from Italy, possible. motorways The construction of the new In 2018, the Greek road transportation The Greek third-party logistics intermodal freight and logistics park in industry accounted for 30% of market still faces many challenges the Thriasio Pedio plain, near Piraeus, enterprises in the transportation and The 3PL market in Greece faced will significantly enhance the port’s storage services sector. The industry significant challenges as a direct hinterland and will also facilitate consists primarily of small companies result of the severe downturn of the the potential development of new and owner-driver haulers, that provide Greek economy from 2009 onward. operations and added-value logistics low-margin traction services to Though it had been rebounding services. When fully developed, medium or large national and pan- since 2014, the market has yet to Thriasio will be one of the largest dry European logistics providers. The completely recover to numbers before ports in Southeast Europe. hire and reward transportation sector the financial crisis, with the turnover had a share of 26% of the total road of the Greek 3PLPs recording a In addition, the logistics center to freight transportation activities in compound annual growth rate (CAGR) be built at Gonos, a former military 2019 (in terms of tonnes-kilometer), of -2.06% between 2008 to 2019 (but camp in Thessaloniki – currently at significantly below the EU average. with a +3.55% CAGR since 2014). the pre-feasibility stage – is expected The market is characterized by low to provide additional storing capacity margins, largely due to its high The contraction of consumption to the port’s terminal and greatly fragmentation and reliance on small and production, along with the slow enhance its potential. providers (1.5 trucks per provider, on growth of international trade, put a lot average). of pressure on Greek manufacturers The growth of the supply chain and traders to lower their costs, industry has also triggered the Increased international air freight air freight in 2019 passed through Conclusions and recommendations transport through the Greek the “Eleftherios Venizelos” Athens In order to increase its attractiveness airports, presents significant International Airport. as an international freight center or a opportunities for the