Reports: Greek port privatization stirs wide interest

Reports: Greek port privatization stirs wide interest Plans to privatize terminals in the Greek ports of Piraeus and Salonica (Thessaloniki) are reportedly creating strong interest by international terminal and shipping companies.
   Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reports Zim may submit a bid in the privatization of the Port of Salonica.
   Greece wants to increase investment at the ports and make the country a transshipment hub for southeastern Europe, reports the magazine Seatrade Asia. It said COSCO, China Shipping Group, Hutchinson Port Holdings, Dubai Ports Authority, A.P. Moller – Maersk, Zim and Hanjin have all expressed interest in the ports.
   A report on Southeast European Times, a Web site sponsored by the U.S. European Command, the joint military command responsible for U.S. operations in Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean Basin, said “the tender has attracted interest from groups in Denmark, China, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland.”
   It adds that “some of the interested parties will likely attempt to form alliances — perhaps even including a Greek partner — in order to mount a winning bid.”
   Some port workers opposed to privatization or foreign ownership have held demonstrations in recent weeks against the plan.