Heraklion News

The Chinese state-owned China Shipping Group is exploring the possibility to develop a transshipment container terminal in the port of Timbaki, on the south coast of Crete, according to an announcement made by the Greek Merchant Marine Ministry, Manolis Kefalogiannis.

After visiting several European ports, the President of the Chinese company Li Kelin shortlisted the island of Crete as his company's prime choice for establishing the proposed terminal. Mr Li commented favorably on the strategic geographical location of Create, that offers ideal conditions for transshipment activities to the East Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Adriatic Sea. Note that the Chinese Shipping Group has 400 vessels, which makes it one of the largest fleets in the world.

The container volume of the Chinese Shipping Group to the Far East-Mediterranean has seen exponential growth in recent years, making relevant and feasible the idea of setting up its own transshipment hub in the region. In 2005, the company carried around one million containers to the Mediterranean.