Competition is expected to heat up in the previously stagnant Greek rail sector with the license application of a third carrier to use the domestic rail network, which up until recently operated as a state monopoly.
Piraeus Europe Asia Rail Logistics late last month filed the application with the Regulatory Authority for Railways, the regulatory body for railway transports in Greece.
According to reports by “N”, the company, which is based in the UK but is owned by Greek interests, expects to acquire the rail transport license, a development that would mean it joins state-run Trainose and Rail Cargo Logistics Goldair in the sector.
In statements to “N”, executives for Chinese multinational Cosco, which holds the concession for Piraeus container port and is expected to assume a controlling share and management of the Piraeus Port Authority (OLP) this year, said they are cooperating closely with Piraeus Europe Asia Rail Logistics. The latter has also signed contracts and is shipping through the railway operators in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYROM) and Serbia – the direct northern rail route from Greece.
Nevertheless, the same Cosco sources said the cooperation with the carrier was independent of the multinational’s decision to participate or not in the ongoing privatization of Trainose.
