Stay local to go global
Greece can seize opportunities in the breakbulk segment. Local knowledge is often a closely guarded competitive edge in logistics, but according to the Thessaloniki-based Cosmatos Group a new mood of cooperation is opening up in Greece and in all of Southern Europe. The approach cited in the title has been central to the success of companies in the industry for more than a quarter of a century, says CEO Elisabeth Cosmatos.
The skills honed in the group’s more than 50 years of history offer a way of tapping into opportunities for Greece’s port network to become a launching pad for breakbulk services in surrounding countries.
Cosmatos is convinced that “Greek port and logistics expertise for project cargo is increasingly bringing locations in neighbouring Balkan countries within range.”
This assessment is in line with a series of political statements. In January Bulgarian defence minister Todor Tagarev cited “mutual economic interests” between Bulgaria and Greece to improve cross-border transport connections, especially building a new highway to link Thessaloniki, Kavala, Alexandroupolis (all Greece), Burgas and Varna (both Bulgaria).
This was supported by the Greek minister of infrastructure and transport, Christos Staikouras, who proposed in late 2023 a rail corridor linking Greece, Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania with Ukraine.
102 ports ready for action
Though the Cosmatos Group may benefit from its advantageous geographical position, it also knows that there are another 102 port authorities in Greece – and that “not all of them are relevant when it comes to project cargo,” the manager admitted.
Cosmatos makes it its business to “evaluate the best domestic ports for any project that we’re involved in, depending on the job concerned, and to prepare them for the task at hand. We bring in knowledge of engineering manuals and load planning and provide inland route planning and clearances to integrate a port into the breakbulk supply chain,” Elisabeth Cosmatos says.
Providing a bridge between Greek ports and multinational groups is a multi-sided discipline. If a ship doesn’t feature its own gear, Cosmatos can contract mobile cranes, drivers and specialised road transporters. “If a Greek port lacks storage areas then we can also improvise – rent ground nearby, put up fences and lighting and bring in security guards,” Cosmatos elaborated.
Cosmatos finally adds the Greek quality of ‘Philotimo’ into the mix. This ‘untranslatable’ attribute involves going the extra mile, doing what it takes and only talking about it afterwards.
“This philosophy is instrumental in making Greek ports more competitive vis-à-vis diverse regional facilities that – superficially – may seem to be better equipped,” Cosmatos closed optimistically.