Piraeus Port Authority (OLP) officially opened its newly extended Cruise Terminal B end May in the presence of Konstantinos Moussouroulis Greek Minister of Shipping and Maritime Affairs.
The international passenger terminal located in front of quay capable of handling two 300 mtr plus cruiseships alongside has been expanded to 5400 sq mtr and provides two separate halls: one for arrivals(in the new structure) and one for departures.
Following a blessing and naming ceremony by the Archbishop of Piraeus George Anomeritis chairman and md of OLP said cruise business in Piraeus is showing positive signs of growth with passengers up 25% and calls increasing 10% in the first three months of 2013 compared to last year.
Speaking of the Euros 4.2m investment on Cruise Terminal B the chairman said ‘this compliments the main cruise terminal near the Akti Miaouli providing increased passenger handling facilities and we expect to develop a third terminal by converting a warehouse at Miaouli Coast region of the port by the end of the year.’ With the operation of the second cruise terminal Piraeus Port can serve up to 25000 passengers per day at two points of entry he added.
Minister Moussouroulis said the newly extended terminal – renamed Themistocles – is part of the port’s long-term development plans to offer the best passenger handling and turnnround facilities in the Mediterranean.
Further expansion of cruise facilities at Piraeus are being discussed.
MedCruise contact: Theodoros Tsitouras, tsitourast@olp.gr
