The "battle" for Heraklion port and the long list of delayals

In coming days we will know if commitments undertaken by the new administration of Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) under Messrs. Dimitris Politis (CEO) and AThanasios  Ziliaskopoulos (president) in order to stop the continuous extensions of critical privatization tenders.

The groups that will claim 67% of the Heraklion Port Authority (OLI) are expected to express their interest on September 17 after the recent extension. This tender, said to be drawing strong demand, will be a test for HRADF, as surely a candidate will ask for an extension, with some excuse in mind. Market officials are waiting to see if the new management of HRADF will give a second extension to the process or not.

Interest for a 67% stake in OLI is expected to come from a number of strong groups such as the Italian group Grimaldi, that controls Minoan Lines, AVIAREPS of the Cretan businessman G. Grylos, GEK TERNA, and shipping companies such as Attica and possibly foreign investment groups.

However, the first three tenders for regional ports, specifically for the ports of Alexandroupolis, Kavala and Igoumenitsa, are proceeding with an unknown schedule for the submission of binding financial bids. Quintana Infrastructure & Development has shown great interest in the first two ports, the first time the investment company is seeking business outside the American continent.

The joint venture of the Kopelouzos group with the Goldair group and the French group Bollore, the Port of Thessaloniki Organization (OLTH) and its consortium have passed to the second stage of the tender for 67% of the Alexandroupolis Port Authority (OLA), along with GEK TERNA with the American Black Summit Financial Group, Euroports and EFA Group.

The Imerys consortium with the Goldair group, the Quintana, the OLTH and the joint venture of GEK TERNA with the Black Summit Financial Group and the EFA Group have expressed interest in the concession of the port "Filippos B" in Nea Karvali Kavala.

The binding offers in the two HRADF tenders are expected in the fall. By then, the tender on the port of Alexandroupolis will have been settled. The expropriation prices will have been set for the individuals who own about 50 acres within OLA, which are under the control of the organization, but also the prices at which the property owners will be compensated, through which the road connecting the port with the Egnatia Odos will pass.