Arrived in Piraeus
Continuing to expand in Southeast Europe. Cargo-Partner, a logistics company from Austria, gained a foothold in North Macedonia last year, followed by another one in northern Greece. Setting up an office in the largest Greek port promises faster transit times for shipments via the Balkan countries.
A new Cargo-Partner branch in Piraeus, which offers door-to-door solutions by sea, air and land, complements the firm’s existing network in Southeast Europe. Its particular focus is on FCL and LCL solutions by sea transport.
Kostas Polatidis, the managing director of the company in Greece, reported that “Piraeus is one of the region’s most important hubs for international trade, thanks also to its unique location, and additionally offers us excellent access to distribution networks serving the Greek capital Athens. Expanding our presence in the gateway there was thus the logical next step in our growth strategy.”
With a volume of 5.3 million teu at the last count, Piraeus is the largest Greek port and the second-largest in the Mediterranean region. It directly serves approximately 6.5 million people in the central and southern regions of the country, as well as on the Greek islands.
The new office is part of the company’s strategic expansion in Southeast Europe. In March 2021 the logistics services provider opened its first office in North Macedonia, followed seven months later by the first Greek branch in Thessaloniki. Cargo-Partner’s presence in the Piraeus maritime trade centre enables it to process import shipments faster, and simultaneously also links the hub to the company’s existing network in Europe.
To Central Europe in 1 – 5 days
With its weekly road transports, Cargo-Partner brings shipments from Piraeus to Southeast and to Central Europe in 1 – 5 days. The company’s own logistics centres in Sofia and Belgrade serve as the concomitant distribution hubs.
“Urgent shipments to Balkan countries are often unloaded in Piraeus and are then hauled to their final destination by truck. This means shorter transit times compared to other ports,” Polatidis explains.
In addition, the port of Piraeus is directly connected to Athens airport, which offers clients the possibility of transporting goods worldwide by airfreight. The local team has particular experience in the temperature-controlled transport of foodstuffs, including all types of fruit and vegetables, which make up a large part of Greek exports.