By F. Zois
An unsuccessful sixth consecutive tender for the creation of a logistics center in the Thriasio industrial district, west of the port of Piraeus, is expected to cause reverberations at the state-run company that manages railway property (Gaiose) and even lead to a fast-track new tender.
The two main contenders for a prospective logistics center, which would be linked to the port of Piraeus by rail, are Chinese multinational Cosco, which has already won the tender for a majority stake and the management of the Piraeus Port Authority (OLP), and international shipper Goldair.
Any future Cosco bid would reportedly come in partnership with two local real estate development firms, National Bank-affiliated Pangaia and Grivalia Properties. Goldair is expected to partner with Piraeus Bank-affiliated ET.BA, the one-time state-run development bank, towards establishing commercial-logistic hubs in the country.
A deadline for the sixth tender ends on Monday, Aug. 1, although no candidate will emerge and it will be declared null and void, according to reports.
As such, the relevant infrastructure and transports ministry is expected to initiative fast-track procedures for a seventh tender, something that should satisfy Cosco’s planning for the wider Piraeus industrial area.
Cosco executives had ruled out a bid in the ongoing tender because only 58 hectares, out of the 200 hectares owned by Gaiose in the Thriasio district, were included.
