Greek Shipping Leaders Promote North‑South Integration at Balkan Forum

Vassilis Korkidis, president of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and vice‑president of the Union of Greek Shipowners, emphasized the need for cooperation between the maritime ecosystems of southern and northern Greece. Speaking at the 7th Balkan Forum in Thessaloniki, he said the global strength of Greek shipping should generate greater added value for the national economy.

Korkidis highlighted that the combined assets of the Piraeus‑Elefsina hub and the strategic ports, industry, energy and logistics clusters of northern Greece form complementary pillars of a unified development effort. He noted that Thessaloniki, Kavala and Alexandroupoli enhance Greece’s links to the Balkans, the Black Sea and the European hinterland, creating new prospects for exports, investment and employment.

The remarks underline a vision of a “blue growth” axis that unites the country’s maritime and logistical capabilities to boost economic growth across the entire Greek territory.