The draft law of the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy "Sanction of the Concession Agreement regarding the use and exploitation of certain areas and assets within the Port of Heraklion" is being discussed in the plenary session of the Parliament and is being put to a vote.
It is noted that for the areas of the port that are not granted, a Port Fund will be created in the form of a legal entity under public law, while the private investor will also have to proceed with mandatory investments that include buildings for the Coast Guard and the navigational service.
Port workers will also be given the opportunity to be employed to another legal entity in the public sector.
The transfer is carried out to a vacant or recommended position, related branch or specialty, of the same or higher category. An employee who is transferred with his consent to a lower category, is classified in the same grade and salary scale, without maintaining any salary difference.
The management of the central port, where the general and bulk cargo, container handling and administration cruise station is located, will be the responsibility of the private investor, while the port fund will include the Venetian Port of the Municipality of Heraklion, the port of Linoperamat of the Municipality of Malevizio, the fishing vessels refuges of Arvi and Kastri of the Municipality of Viannos, and Loutra of the Municipality of Gortyna, but also the outer zones B ("Theatrical Station"), C ("KTEL") and D ("Port Terminal"). Also included are the petroleum facilities and the factory of PPC.
67% of the shares of the port of Heraklion will fall to the Grimaldi Group (Grimaldi Euromed SpA - Minoan Lines), for a total price of 80 million euros.
HRADF will retain 33% of the share capital of the Port Authority as a shareholder, while also as the Port Planning Authority, it will cooperate with the new investor, in order for the port to be utilized for the benefit of the development of Crete and the overall national economy.
With regard to the issue of remunerative port fees, the new investor will be able to impose and collect for infrastructure and service issues, but always with the principles of objectivity and non-discrimination.
Regarding the provision of domestic passenger car ferry services, port service fees may be increased only with the written consent of the relevant government body.
Fees for any reason may be revised only once a year upon written notification of the government body and up to a percentage equal to the percentage change (increase) in the consumer price index of the month of revision or the corresponding month of the previous year.
Also, the percentage of the increase should not exceed 3% in relation to the corresponding fees previously in force where they are adjusted based on the price index.
Any confirmed or attributed to O.L.H. S.A. amounts for compensatory fees or tax of electrified areas or compensatory cleaning fees before the date of entry into force of the Concession Agreement, shall be borne by the Greek State.
The Greek State enters into the concession provided by contract to the new investor against an annual consideration which in relation to any period of time will be 3.5% of the annual combined sales of the Heraklion Port Authority SA.
Combined sales include the consolidated revenue of ALL and the arithmetic sum of the gross revenue with each person to whom a subconcession has been agreed for the provision of services. It is also provided for the payment to the State of an additional concession consideration, equal to a percentage of forty percent (40%) on any periodic cash flows in relation to the Increase Year if at its end the Internal Rate of Return of the Preferred Investor exceeds twenty percent (20%) )
The exploitation of the Heraklion Port Organization (OLI S.A.) is part of the broader development plan to upgrade the infrastructure of Crete, while the completion of the transactions provided for in the Share Purchase Agreement depends on the ratification of the Concession Agreement for the Port of Heraklion by the Parliament (SAM) between OLI S.A. and of the "HOLDING COMPANY PORT OF HERACLEIOU STOCK COMPANY", which, according to data from the competent ministry, will generate revenues for the Greek State of 80 million euros.
The Italian group's ambitious investment program for the port of Heraklion, with the aim of exploiting the port's strategic position in the Eastern Mediterranean, was referred to by the president and CEO of Grimaldi Euromed SpA, Emanuele Grimaldi, during the signing of the relevant contract.
He has pointed out that the group's plans include the development of cruise, commercial flows, for passengers and goods, but also the transport of new vehicles.
According to information, a car terminal is expected to be created in the commercial part of the port.
Also,
