Thessaloniki Port expansion reaches 50% progress on caisson installation

Expansion works for Pier 6 at the Port of Thessaloniki (OLTH) have surpassed 50% progress in the installation of cellular structural elements, known as caissons. To date, 11 of the 21 caissons required for the first phase have been positioned in the Thermaic Gulf through a high-precision technical process.

The construction site is operating on a 24/7 basis, with the current phase expected to take another four to five months to complete. To mitigate potential delays, workers are prioritizing tasks that are not affected by the presence of unexploded World War II ordnance discovered on the seabed, such as the installation of toe protection slabs which serve as counterweights.

While construction continues, the presence of unexploded munitions remains a significant obstacle. The project requires immediate intervention from the State to resolve the issue of the ordnance, as the next phase of the expansion cannot proceed until the seabed is cleared, posing a risk of further timeline delays.