Intermodal

SEALINK PROJECT BETWEEN GREECE AND ITALY

In the hall of representation of the Provincial Administration in Brindisi, the 29th February, 2008, they held the conference “The port of Igoumenitsa and Brindisi for the construction of an intermodal logistics hub between Greece and Italy.” The laudable initiative is part of the project activities Sealink financed by the EU (INTERREG III Greece-Italy mis.1.1, az.D3) with the Provincial Administration of Brindisi as leader, together with the Prefectures of Thesprotìa and Corfu, Port Authority of Brindisi and Igoumenitsa and the Chamber of Commerce of Brindisi.
The following were present: Alderman Lawrence Cirasino for the Province of Brindisi, prof. Enzo Caforio for the Chamber of Commerce Brindisi, Michael Gikas deputy prefect of Thesprotìa and Kotsios Nikolaos Director General Port Authority of Igoumenitsa.
The port of Igoumenitsa is carrying out its European dimension and its application to “logistics platform” in shipping passengers and Ro-ro from Eastern to Western Europe: a real “multiplier” development for the whole ‘Hellenic area. The report, a true three-year operational plan 2008-2010, the Director General of the port of Igoumenitsa Dr. Kotsios Nikolaos one understands the transformation of the port of Igoumenitsa from “labour intensive” to “capital intensive” and a brainport via the Egnatia and for all routes in the western Mediterranean. The key turning infrastructure, in a dimension intermodal is the Porta Nuova, which is south of the city and is the starting point for the motorway Egnatìa (end work 2008) - the main artery linking the Adriatic and Black Sea and South Asia and the Balkans - real engine to attract traffic.
In addition to the modern structure of the Passenger Terminal, the total area of 6800 square meters, the new port area (760 m long quay, with a useful backdrop to meno10, 7 me an area of 210 thousand square meters). In the development phase, with a budget of 68 million euros, is the construction of two new terminals with related infrastructure projects (construction of roads, projects, etc.), the Syndetirio Ferry dock between the Old Port and outside the port 372 m long, with an area of 35 hectares, the construction of pier ring length 198 m; dredging and widening the channel input in the bay of the port, and the construction of a dam in long cliff 680 m ( breakwater) for the protection of Cape Drepano from erosion due to wave and the design of the Port-Gate “in the future, and the construction of the rail terminal. In the study, is planning the construction of a new wharf for ro-ro and a new terminal. According to data traffic, the port of Igoumenitsa port is the European Union and for 2006 has registered steps and movements leaving for Italy thus distributed: trucks 161876 units (about 2.8 million tons of freight); cars 266,009 units, 972,363 units passengers. The strategic objectives future, for the years 2008 - 2010, are: growth in freight traffic, maintenance and increase of passenger traffic, support activities for tourists in transit and improving the prospects for development of tourism in Thesprotia. The Action Plan for the period 2008-2010 to be implemented in order to achieve the above objectives provides for the Port Commercial (logistics management of goods): a development area for freight services and logistics centre, the development of strategic partnerships with Ports and Shipping Company under the Maritime Route (motorways of the sea). While the logistics of passengers: Complete Works infrastructure Porta Nuova (second phase), securing funding for implementing the third phase of expansion project of Port, recovery EU programme for the development of strategic partnerships. For the Harbour: the development of the network “Marine” (creation of four port-Refuges Recreational boats in the region, and a marina and Igoumenitsa), Cruise Terminal Development Porto Vecchio Igoumenitsa. For the development of real estate and “water front” reception center for passengers, re-use of parts of the Old Port, with the construction of a service center conference-exhibition-fairs and finally development and promotion of territorial marketing. The “operational plan” is clear in the definition of a port that applies on logistics platform, especially for trades ro-ro, with some diversification and integration with Patras. Regarding the draft Sealink, Igoumenitsa is committed to the definition of “portal” to all operators in the field of transport between Italy and Greece, in the regions of Bari, Corfu and Igoumenitsa. Create a “protocol” for monitoring and evaluation of services provided, to make more effective chain of transport between the two regions, strengthening the development of business, facilitating the exchange of information and transformation process with the aim of attract companies interested in using the services they offer and settle in the area.