VOLOS 25-6-2026
The issue of the new tugboat regulation was, among other things, the subject of the meeting of the Volos Port Users' Council, which was convened via video conference, under the chairmanship of the Managing Director of the Volos Port Authority, Mr. Socrates Anagnostou, on Thursday, June 25, 2026.
The President of the Users' Council, Mr. Anagnostou, informed the members and participants about the developments concerning the port of Volos, and specifically about the Business Plan and the Master Plan of the port, as well as about the positive course of the Organization, as reflected in the financial data of the last fiscal year, according to which the reserves of the Port of Volos are approaching 11 million euros and allow it to plan investments for the development support of the port from its own resources.
Mr. Anagnostou referred to the planning of the Port Authority for the next year, which includes the renewal of mechanical equipment through the procurement of two new cargo handling cranes, with a total budget of 7 million euros, the reconstruction of the western side of pier No. 1, a project with a budget of approximately 5 million euros plus VAT, which will fully restore the infrastructure after the transfer of the scrap handling activity to pier No. 3, as well as the tendering within 2026 of the reconstruction of the pier No. 2 floor & the electrification of the ITALGRU crane, a project which is expected to be completed within 2027, with a budget of 1,8 million euros.
At the same time, he informed about the participation of the Port Authority in three European programs, while the participants were also informed about the issue of dredging remaining on the bottom of the port, mainly in the Fish Dock and at the railway ferry pier where the inert materials are handled. Reference was also made to the Volos - Lesvos line, which has not yet progressed, as well as to the decision of the Board of Directors of the Port Authority to delimit a port facility at the Central Pier to serve small cruise ships at the eastern quay, as well as passenger ships of a specific category ("Category A") at the head of the pier.
Regarding the draft Regulation for the Safe Execution of Tugwork (Borrowing/Unmooring & Watchkeeping) at the Port of Volos in the context of the implementation of Presidential Decree 83/2022 in combination with Regulation (EU) 2017/352 of the European Parliament, establishing a framework for the provision of port services and common rules for the financial transparency of ports, the President of the Users' Council, Mr. Anagnostou, emphasized, among other things, that "We want a safe port and to go one step forward. In the document from the navigators that has been sent to us, it is pointed out that the tugs operating in the port of Volos are not safe. As everything proceeds according to regulations, so must the tugs operate. We may not have faced any issue until today, but once an accident happens. We want to provide safety as a Port Authority."
From the participants' perspective, opinions and various concerns were expressed regarding the technical specifications and the abolition of some or all of the safety controls resulting from the OLA regulation. Examples of tugboat activity in other ports of the country were presented and proposals and observations were discussed at length. Although all participants expressed their positive views in favor of enhancing safety during the use of tugboats and modernization, some argued that no improvement should be made.
Mr. Anagnostou, closing the meeting, pointed out that the consultation on the tugboats has been underway for two years, presenting the issue of safety as the crowning glory. "The priority for us is safety and in this direction, we work daily. We want to have a competitive and safe port. You know that, due to the development competition and until the procedures are completed, we could not plan any investment for the modernization and improvement of our infrastructure and mechanical equipment. Today we are moving forward by investing in our port to implement all of the above," he concluded.
The Volos Port Users' Council, chaired by Mr. Socrates Anagnostou, was attended by:
The representative from the Panhellenic Merchant Marine Captains' Association, Mrs. Eleni Papadopoulou
The representative from the Hellenic Maritime Chamber, Mr. George Kroustallis
The representative of the Short Sea Shipping Shipowners' Association, Mr. Nikolaos Liapis
The representative of the Passenger Shipping Companies Association, Mr. Vasilis Katsaris
The representative from the Magnesia Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Seraphim Maousidis
The representative from ED HATTA, Federation of Greek Associations of Tourist & Travel Agencies, Mr. Marios Kammenos
The representative from the Hellenic Federation of Loaders and Loaders, Mr. Kritikos Thomas
The representative of the Employees of the Greek Labour Union, Mr. Antonis Ivanoudis
The representative of the Federation of Shipping Agents of Greece, Mr. Ioannis Tsardakas
The President of the Hellenic Association of Shipowners of Tugs, Rescue, Anti-Pollution & Offshore Support Vessels, Mr. Pavlos Xiradakis
The Secretary General (and representative) of the Panhellenic Union of Shipowners - Tug & Rescue Vessel Operators "Agios Nikolaos" Mr. Ioannis Zoumboulis
The Superintendent of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Steel Industry Association, Mr. Thomas Zachos (representative of the member company STEEL HELLENIC SA)
The Information Officer of the Enterprise Europe Network/Enterprise Europe Network Department, Ms. Georgia Frangou
The legal advisor of the OLB, Mr. Konstantinos Xynobitis
