The proposal by the European Commission for the new pier brings changes to the cruise industry and to Piraeus port, Greece’s largest port. According to the proposal, cruise ship passengers will be transported by shuttle boats from Piraeus to the Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF), so that they can then travel to Athens once the construction of the new cruise terminal is completed.
This EU proposal, based on the environmental impact study for the approval of the project, aims to prevent further traffic congestion in Piraeus. However, it has caused confusion and dissatisfaction among cruise industry representatives, who state that it is not a viable solution and will degrade the services offered by the industry.
They note that thousands of passengers will be inconvenienced daily, and direct boarding onto shuttle boats is not allowed; cruise passengers must first disembark from the cruise ship. They add that if ships are to essentially remain anchored offshore, this could be done at SEF without the need for an entire pier.
Moreover, the transportation of cruise travelers is a critical issue requiring careful consideration, according to Piraeus Mayor Yiannis Moralis, who is evaluating the situation from the perspective of the city and its residents.
For travelers beginning or ending their cruise in Piraeus port, the Municipal Authority prefers that they embark and disembark at the cruise port. Over the past decade, Piraeus has been structured to become a tourist destination, with home port travelers being a key element in this effort.
Public investments, such as the Metro extension to Piraeus alongside private investments like new hotels, are contributing to Piraeus’s emergence as a significant tourist destination, is emphasized by the mayor.
However, for cruises where Piraeus port is just a stop, travelers typically do not explore the city thus Piraeus does not gain much from these tourists, who often head to the Acropolis in Athens, disembarking these travelers at another location instead of the main cruise port could be beneficial.
This change could alleviate environmental and traffic burdens on Piraeus caused by transporting these travelers to Athens.
Lastly, the European Commission’s parameters for the new pier, including ship electrification and ecological buses for passenger transportation, align with the long-standing positions of the municipality of Piraeus and are considered steps in the right direction.
