Customer: Port Authority of Igoumenitsa S.A.

Duration: November 2007 – April 2008

The study objective is the designation of Motorways of the Sea for the east Mediterranean and their realization in accordance to the specifications and requirements that have been set for the TransEuropean Transport Networks (TEN-T). Five countries participate in the study – Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta.
In the context of this goal, the implementation stages of the study are as follows:
– Designation of MoS in the area (WP1)
– Evaluation of MoS Projects and Preparation of East Mediterranean Master Plan (WP2)
– Investment and Time Planning – Financial instruments (WP3)
– Conclusions, Recommendations – Public Awareness Actions (WP4)
In the context of the first stage, the overview and analysis of the existing transport systems of the area and of the participating countries is included aiming at the designation of the Motorways of the Sea. In addition, an invitation for tender is conducted to consortiums consisting of public and private actors interested in the development of Motorways of the Sea.
The objective of the second stage is the presentation of the selected Motorways of the Sea that emerge from the invitation for tenders, their assessment and the determination of priorities for these projects. The submitted projects are assessed in accordance to their technical, operational, financial and environmental characteristics. The scenarios for the development of the network of Motorways of the Sea in the East Mediterranean are defined by the assessment of the projects.
The third stage of the study includes a detailed financial and time plan for each selected Motorways of the Sea project. In addition, the necessary technical, institutional and commercial actions are defined on a long-term basis for the funding of the projects and the potential funding sources and their corresponding required procedures are presented. Furthermore, the potential of state aid is examined as well as the possibility of the participation of the private sector through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the implementation and operation of the infrastructure projects.
Finallylly, following the completion of the three previous stages of the study, and in the context of the fourth stage the main conclusions and the methodology followed during the implementation of the study are presented while particular emphasis is placed on the list of selected infrastructure projects and services and transport policy proposals are examined for their development. In the context of this stage conferences and working meetings take place with experts and users of the transport chain in order to inform them on the results of the study.