$154.5Mln EIB backing for Greek Port
The European Investment Bank (EIB) on Monday formally agreed to provide 140 million euros (USD $154.5 million) to support expansion and upgrading of Piraeus Port, Greece's main port.
The largest ever loan for port investment in the country by Europe’s long-term lending institution, will support the implementation of part of investments at the Port of Piraeus in a total investment plan of more than EUR 600 million.
The 20-year loan was signed in Athens in the presence of Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Xu Lirong, Chairman of COSCO Shipping Corporation, by Andrew McDowell, European Investment Bank Vice President, the Chairman of Piraeus Port Authority S.A. Yu Zenggang and Athanasios Liagkos, Board Member of the Piraeus Port Authority S.A.
“Greece welcomes the European Investment Bank’s support for transformation at the Port of Piraeus. The EIB has been supporting strategic infrastructure across Greece for more than 50 years and has unique technical and financial expertise financing leading ports across Europe and worldwide.” said Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
“Redevelopment of the Port of Piraeus will strengthen connections between Greece and the rest of the world and ensure that Greece benefits from a world-class maritime logistics hub. The European Investment Bank is pleased to provide a 20-year long-term loan for the principal maritime hub of Greece and the leading port in the Mediterranean. EIB support reflects the economic benefits to be unlocked in the coming years and the importance of ensuring competitive transport links for Greece and South Eastern Europe.” Said Andrew McDowell, European Investment Bank Vice President.
“Recent investment has shown how investment at the Port of Piraeus can support economic growth and benefit Greece. Confirmation of the European Investment Bank’s support follows detailed due diligence and reflects the broad benefits to be unlocked by the largest investment programme in the history of the Port of Piraeus.” said Yu Zenggang, Chairman of Piraeus Port Authority SA (PPA).
The first EUR 100 million tranche of the EIB loan was signed today and the remainder agreed as project construction progresses.
The EIB loan is guaranteed by the Export–Import Bank of China, and the guarantee facility contract between PPA and CEXIM was also signed today in the presence of CEXIM Chairwoman Ms HU Xiaolian and Mr Athanasios Liagkos from PPA.