Discussions are underway between the management of Thessaloniki Port Authority (ThPA SA) and the Ministries of National Economy and Finance and Maritime Affairs on how the Greek state could help resolve the issue of unexploded ordnance discovered on the seabed of the Thermaic Gulf.

The items were detected during a magnetic survey carried out as part of the works to expand Pier 6. They need to be safely removed so that the next stages of the project – dredging works to deepen the port and enable it to accommodate larger vessels – can proceed without disruption. According to ThPA management, there is a way forward, but it will come at a cost in both time – at least six months on top of the project’s existing six-month delay – and money, with the additional cost still unknown.

ThPA management’s primary concern, also set out in a letter sent to the relevant ministries last October, is for the government to acknowledge that responsibility for addressing the issue of these “unforeseen finds” lies with the Greek state, rather than ThPA or the contractor (the METKA-TEKAL joint venture), since the extent of the problem could not have been known when the port concession was granted. Agreement must also be reached on how to cover the additional costs and any delays that may arise.

These points emerged during a tour of the Pier 6 construction site, where ThPA CEO Dr Ioannis Tsaras and Project Director Dimitris Moutsakis briefed reporters.

According to Tsaras, the government now understands the scale of the problem, and the discussions could be concluded by early 2027. “This is not an easy issue. We need to examine, for example, whether an amendment to the (project) contract is necessary,” Tsaras said, clarifying that no request has yet been submitted for an amendment to extend the deadline for completion of the investment.

All 21 caissons to be installed by February. In the meantime, work on Pier 6 is continuing, with the installation of all 21 caissons (reinforced concrete structures), a key structural component of the project, scheduled for completion by February, as previously announced, Moutsakis said.

The installation of the caissons is proceeding, as their presence does not affect these works. However, once all the caissons have been placed in the waters of the Thermaic Gulf, there will be no further scope to use construction work to fill the time until the ordnance issue is resolved and dredging can begin.

Moutsakis also clarified that the Hellenic Navy can intervene to neutralise an item once it has been exposed. This means that the detection and handling of the unexploded ordnance cannot be separated from the dredging process.

As regards the additional cost of removing the items, Tsaras said he did not wish to commit to a figure, as the funding required would be determined by an independent engineer once the unit cost of retrieving each item had been established. This varies according to the size and type of object, allowing an average cost to be calculated.

“In any case, we do not want the project to come to a halt,” Tsaras stressed, adding that although the items appear to pose no immediate danger, as the shells are old and corroded, precautionary measures must be taken to ensure their safe removal under all circumstances.

 

Source: www.naftemporiki.gr