The inauguration of a new cruise ship jetty by the Cosco-controlled Piraeus Port Authority (OLP) on Monday at Greece’s busiest port, in the presence of the Chinese multinational’s top executives, was the occasion for yet another glimpse into the latter’s plans for the port.
According to Cosco’s leadership, the multinational wants to schedule direct flights from China to Greece – an on-again, off-again prospect for years – with Chinese holiday-makers who have booked cruise vacations in Greek and eastern Mediterranean waters.
Cosco is banking on expanded air connections with the United States and its own efforts to promote cruise tourism in China in order to transform Piraeus into a true “home port”, one of its stated goals in exploiting the Piraeus Port Authority. The Shanghai-based and state-controlled company acquired a majority stake in OLP and its management over the summer.
Cosco chairman Capt. Xu Lirong, in fact, speaking at an inauguration ceremony on Monday, said his company discerns major interest on the part of Chinese tourists for cruise holidays beginning in Greece.
The infrastructure improvement translates into a new jetty of 284 meters and with an immediate quay-side depth of 11 meters. Up to 10 cruise ships, depending on their size, can now dock at the jetty.
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