On October 13, 2016, the service provision contract for the project was signed between the Rafina Port Authority S.A. and the Partnership of Design Offices: "ROGAN AND ASSOCIATES S.A. – MARNET ATE – BETAPLAN AEM – MEP E.E. – A.B. MATRAKIDOU – I.A.ROGAN",
"UPDATE OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AND MANAGEMENT STUDY (MASTER PLAN) OF THE PORT OF RAFINA".
The Port of Rafina is the second largest in passenger traffic among the 16 Greek Ports of International Interest. It is included in the Trans-European Transport Network, while it concentrates a significant part of the traffic to the Cyclades islands and maintains the exclusive connection with Marmari in Evia, serving both the passenger - tourist and freight traffic of these destinations.
The purpose of updating the Master Plan of the Port of Rafina is, on the one hand, to recognize and address the existing and future needs of the port, mainly with regard to the projected future flows of passengers and vehicles, so that it responds in a rational manner in terms of speed, safe docking of ships and economy to its role, and on the other hand, to plan its temporal development based on technical and economic data, from the point of view of project construction, always taking into account its particularities.
The final result of the above contract will be the acquisition of an updated, documented and approved by the Port Planning and Development Committee (PSDC), General Program Plan of the Port of Rafina, which, in combination with the Strategic Environmental Impact Study (SEIS), will allow the smooth implementation of individual actions as well as the upgrade of the port and land infrastructure of the port.
The updating of the Development Program and the management study (Master Plan) of the port of Rafina will have the following objectives:
- The diagnosis of the needs and capabilities of the Port, with the aim of improving the infrastructure and functionality of its facilities so that it can meet the demands of the future.
- Determining its development and the priorities of this development.
- The decongestion of existing uses and facilities.
- The planning of the port's development timeline from the point of view of the construction of the projects.
- The determination of the maximum permitted limits of the port zone, permitted alluvium, land uses, building conditions and restrictions, and traffic regulations.
During the execution of the contract, there will be close cooperation and exchange of views between the Contractor, the Organization and the Municipality of Rafina - Pikermi, because the entire operation of the Port is inextricably linked to the city.
Great importance will be given to the opinions of the Captains who dock at the port of Rafina, but also of the local community in general.
The updated Master Plan of the Port of Rafina will provide for port works required for the improvement of the port facilities and their safe use. In addition to the external port works for the protection and development of the port basin, a tourist boat marina, port infrastructure for receiving cruise ships will be located; new building facilities will be designed, such as a Central Terminal, a Fish Market Complex, Marina Service Buildings (housing service and recreation areas), a Waterway Building, a Parking Building and a Conference Center.
The new development and management plan for the Port of Rafina will also provide for LNG refueling infrastructure, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, a helicopter landing field, recreational and water sports facilities, and the construction of a cycle path.
Due to the proximity of the port of Rafina to the city, special attention will be given to addressing traffic problems both during the departure of ships and upon their arrival.
Possible ways to address traffic problems could be:
- The extension of the suburban railway to Rafina.
- The extension of Attiki Road to the Rafina Intersection.
- Undergrounding of part of the city's land area starting from the Port.
The Rafina Port Authority S.A., in collaboration with the Municipality of Rafina - Pikermi, should choose the best feasible solution for the coexistence of city and port.
