By
Alex Smith |
The port of Piraeus in Greece has started a project to expand its cruise terminal, marking the occasion with an inauguration ceremony.
The project, which will involve the construction of two berths for cruise ships longer than 280 metres, is expected to last for 32 months. The initial budget for work is €120 million (US$132 million) and has been co-funded by the Piraeus Port Authority and the European Regional Development Fund.
The inauguration ceremony for the project was held at the cruise terminal and attended by the Greek Minister of Tourism Charis Theocharis, Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy Ioannis Plakiotakis and the Chinese Ambassador to Greece Zhang Qiyue. Representatives of Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. were also present.
“Cosco Shipping has a holistic development plan for the Port of Piraeus,” said Yu Zenggang, chairman of the Piraeus Port Authority. “Our goal is to improve all the port activities, and the expansion of the passenger port will enhance the cruise sector not only in Piraeus but across the whole of Greece.”