Greece likely to cancel Alexandroupolis port sale - sources (updated)

GEK TERNA

07/11/2022 13:04

(Adds detail, quotes)
       ATHENS, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Greece is likely to cancel the
sale of its northern port of Alexandroupolis, sources told
Reuters on Monday, citing "geopolitical developments" following
the port's enhanced role in the wake of the war in Ukraine.
    Situated in northern Greece, near the borders with Bulgaria
and Turkey and with a floating gas storage and regasification
unit in the pipeline, Alexandroupolis has potential as an energy
hub for central Europe.
    Greece in September received two binding bids for a 67%
stake in the port of Alexandroupolis. Four investors had been
shortlisted last year for the sale. 
    The bidders were Quintana Infrastructure and Development
through Liberty Port Holdings Single Member, and International
Port Investments Alexandroupolis, a joint venture of Black
Summit Financial Group, Euroports, EFA Group and GEK Terna.
    "The most possible scenario is that the tender will be
cancelled. This has to do with the Alexandroupolis port's
upgraded role, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine," a source
with the country's privatisation agency HRADF said.
    A government source also said that the tender was likely to
be cancelled for reasons "related to the geopolitical
developments in the region".   
    The privatisation agency's board will convene on Thursday to
examine the case and the next steps for the port's development,
the privatisation agency source added. 
 (Reporting by Angeliki Koutantou and Lefteris Papadimas;
Writing by Renee Maltezou; editing by David Evans)
 ((renee.maltezou@thomsonreuters.com; +30 210 3376439; Reuters
Messaging: renee.maltezou.reuters.com@reuters.net))