“Big” names bid for port of Thessalonica

Binding bids by three parties were offered for assuming container handling operations at the port of Thessalonica, Hellas’ second largest port, located in the north of the country.

Bids were given by China’s Cosco Pacific Limited, a consortium of companies comprised by Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company, Aktor Concessions SA and Piraeus Bank and the scheme that also entered the Port of Piraeus tender bid, i.e. Hutchison Port Holding- Alapis SA and LID SA. Peninsular & Oriental, the leader of one of the consortia, is a subsidiary of Dubai Ports World. Aktor Concessions, which is part of the same consortium, is a subsidiary of Elliniki Technodomiki Group, the leading Hellenic constructions group and among the biggest in the Balcans with presence also in the fields of energy and real estate. Also, the other two bidders were the same that are competing for the port of Piraeus, having placed their offers at the end of last week. Cosco Pacific is the fifth largest port terminal operator, with presence in 27 ports around the world, having handled 39.8 million TEUs during 2007. Dubai Ports World is also listed among the biggest port operators, being present in 43 terminals in 28 countries, with an annual handling of 42 million TEUs during 2006. Finally, Hutchison Port Holding is part of Hutchison Whampoa Limited, the world’s biggest operator, present in 24 countries and 47 ports, having handled 66.3 million TEUs during 2007. The bids were scheduled to be opened today by the Committee of the Tender bid, which will conclude officially the first stage of the process.

Read More