The Port of Thessaloniki has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hellenic Train and Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) to improve rail freight connectivity and support intermodal transport across Southeastern Europe.

The agreement sets out a framework for cooperation to develop a rail cargo corridor centred on the Port of Thessaloniki. The initiative is intended to strengthen links between Greece, Bulgaria, the Balkans and Central European markets.

Under the MoU, the organisations will work on upgrading rail connections to the port, developing freight transport services, reducing transit times and logistics costs, and supporting the use of rail transport through infrastructure improvements.

The Port of Thessaloniki launches a dialogue on rail connectivity in the Balkans

© ThPA S.A.

The agreement comes as ThPA S.A., the operator of the Port of Thessaloniki, continues work on an investment programme, including the expansion of Pier 6. The project is expected to increase cargo handling capacity at the port and support its role in regional trade and logistics networks.

Dr. Ioannis Tsaras, CEO of ThPA S.A. said:

The Port of Thessaloniki, leveraging its geographical position at the heart of Southeast Europe, aims to establish itself as a reliable provider of intermodal transport solutions for the Balkans. The signing of the MoU with Hellenic Train and BDZ is an important step in this direction, as it facilitates coordination among stakeholders and creates the conditions for more efficient intermodal transport across the broader region. In this way, the port reaffirms its role as a driver of progress for all of Northern Greece, acting as a catalyst for major infrastructure projects that will benefit the local market and the national economy, while also serving as a multiplier for growth.

With the construction of the Pier 6 expansion and the more than doubling of the capacity of the Container Terminal, we are substantially strengthening the port’s competitiveness and highlighting Thessaloniki as a critical hub on the supply chain map of the broader region. Fully unlocking this potential requires further upgrading of rail connectivity to significantly reduce transport time and increase environmentally friendly modes of transport. Through strategy and consistency, through synergies such as today’s, we are working to establish the Port of Thessaloniki as a reliable main trade gateway.

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