UN/LOCODE: GREEU📍 Greece
Port of Eleusina (UN/LOCODE GREEU)
❖ Coordinates: 38.0300°N, 23.5300°E
❖ Time Zone: Europe/Athens
❖ UN/LOCODE: GREEU
## About the Port
Located at 38°03′ N – 23°53′ E in the Attiki region of Greece, **Port of Eleusina** (UN/LOCODE: **GREEU**) serves as a strategic gateway to the Aegean Sea and the wider Eastern Mediterranean. Operated under the jurisdiction of the **Greek Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport**, the port lies within the **Europe/Athens** time zone (UTC+2/UTC+3 DST) and benefits from immediate access to the **Athens‑Thessaloniki‑Istanbul (ATI) corridor**, one of the busiest maritime arteries in the region.
Eleusina’s proximity—approximately 20 km north of Piraeus and 40 km from central Athens—makes it a preferred hub for both **dry bulk and containerized cargo**, as well as **roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) passenger services** linking the mainland to the Cyclades and the Dodecanese. The port’s modern layout, integrated with the national **rail‑road network (P.A.Th.E./ΕΓΑ)** and the **Egnatia Motorway**, enables seamless intermodal transfers, reinforcing its role in Greece’s logistics chain and the broader **Trans‑Mediterranean Trade Corridor**.
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## History
The origins of Eleusina as a maritime facility trace back to the **late 19th century**, when an informal pier supported fishing villages and small‑scale agricultural exports. During the **interwar period**, the Greek government earmarked the site for expansion to accommodate increasing **grain and coal shipments** from the interior of Attica.
World War II temporarily halted development, but the post‑war boom spurred a **comprehensive reconstruction programme** (1955‑1962) funded by the Marshall Plan. During this era, the port acquired its first **gravel‑sloped berths** and a modest **cargo handling crane** with a 30‑tonne lifting capacity.
The 1990s marked a turning point: as Greece liberalised its maritime sector, Eleusina underwent **privatisation of terminal operations** and a series of **public‑private partnerships (PPPs)** that introduced container terminals, refrigerated storage, and advanced customs automation. By 2005, the port had achieved **deep‑water access (22 m draft)**, allowing it to accommodate Panamax‑class vessels and positioning Eleusina as an alternative to the congested Piraeus container terminal.
In recent years, **digitalization initiatives**—including the implementation of the **Port Community System (PCS)** and the adoption of **e‑Manifest protocols**—have aligned Eleusina with EU maritime security standards (IMO SOLAS and MARPOL). These upgrades have cemented the port’s reputation as a **secure, efficient, and environmentally compliant** maritime gateway.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Draft
- **8 multipurpose berths** (1 250 m total length)
- **Maximum draft:** 22 m at low tide, 24 m at high tide, suitable for vessels up to 300 000 DWT
- **Turn‑round time:** ≤ 24 h for container ships, ≤ 36 h for bulk carriers
### Cargo Handling Equipment
| Equipment | Capacity | Typical Use |
|-----------|----------|-------------|
| 4 Panamax‑type ship‑to‑shore gantry cranes | 45 t/40 t | Containerised cargo |
| 6 mobile harbour cranes | 30 t/20 t | Break‑bulk & project cargo |
| 2 bulk loaders | 3 000 t/h | Coal, grain, fertilizers |
| 4 refrigerated container slots | 1 800 TEU | Perishable goods |
### Storage & Warehousing
- **Open‑yard capacity:** 2 million m³ (bulk)
- **Covered warehouses:** 150 000 m², climate‑controlled, compliant with EU phytosanitary regulations
- **Cold‑storage:** 12 000 m³ (refrigerated containers)
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail:** Direct link to the **Piraeus–Platy railway**, enabling 150 km/h freight services to Thessaloniki and the Balkans.
- **Road:** Adjacent to the **Egnatia Motorway (A2)** and the **Attiki Odos** beltway, supporting 24‑hour truck operations.
- **Customs & PCS:** Integrated with the **Greek Single Window** and the **EU Trade Facilitation** platform, reducing clearance times by up to 30 %.
### Safety, Security & Sustainability
- **Maritime security:** ISO 28000‑certified security management system, equipped with AIS, CCTV, and perimeter fencing.
- **Environmental measures:** Shore‑power (cold ironing) for vessels up to 120 000 DWT, on‑site wastewater treatment plant, and participation in the **Green Port Initiative** under the Mediterranean Action Protocol.
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## Economic Importance
Eleusina contributes **approximately €2.4 billion** annually to the Greek economy, accounting for roughly **5 % of national port revenues**. Its strategic location facilitates:
| Sector | Contribution | Key Statistics |
|--------|--------------|----------------|
| **Agriculture & Agro‑processing** | €780 M | Handles > 1 million t of wheat, barley, and olives each year |
| **Energy & Minerals** | €460 M | Imports 1.2 Mt of coal and 800 kt of limestone for domestic power stations |
| **Manufacturing** | €640 M | Export of automotive components, textiles, and machinery via Ro‑Ro services |
| **Tourism & Passenger Services** | €520 M | Serves > 300 000 passengers annually on fast‑ferry routes to the Cyclades |
The port’s ability to **diversify cargo types**—from bulk commodities to high‑value containerised goods—helps mitigate the volatility associated with single‑commodity dependency. Moreover, Eleusina’s **intermodal infrastructure** fuels regional development, spurring investment in logistics parks and free‑trade zones around the Attiki hinterland.
Employment figures underscore its socio‑economic role: **over 3 500 direct jobs** (dockworkers, logistics managers, customs officers) and an estimated **12 000 indirect positions** in ancillary services such as warehousing, transport, and maritime insurance.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Core Trade Corridors
1. **Eastern Mediterranean Loop** – Frequent services linking Eleeleusina to **Piraeus, Port Said, Alexandria, and Algeciras**, supporting intra‑regional container flows.
2. **Black Sea Axis** – Direct bulk shipments to **Constanta (Romania), Varna (Bulgaria), and Novorossiysk (Russia)**, primarily for grain and fertilizer exchange.
3. **Northern European Gateway** – Container lines via the **Suez Canal** to **Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg**, underpinning Greece’s export‑import balance with the EU’s core markets.
### Primary Cargoes
| cargo type | annual throughput | primary origins / destinations |
|------------|-------------------|--------------------------------|
| **Dry Bulk (grain, barley, wheat)** | 1.1 Mt | Imports from Ukraine, Russia; exports to North Africa |
| **Coal & Lignite** | 900 kt | Imports from Australia, South Africa; domestic distribution |
| **Containerised Goods (electronics, apparel, chemicals)** | 1.3 M TEU | Imports from China, Turkey, Italy; exports to EU |
| **Ro‑Ro Vehicles & Passenger Ferries** | 2 M passengers / 150 k vehicles | Domestic tourism routes to the Cyclades, Crete, and Dodecanese |
| **Project Cargo (machinery, wind‑turbine components)** | 45 kt | Imports from Germany, Denmark; deployment to Greek renewable sites |
**Key shipping lines** operating through Eleusina include **Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)**, **CMA CGM**, **Grimaldi Lines**, and **Aegean Sea Lines**, each maintaining scheduled sailings that synchronize with the port’s **24‑hour operational model**.
### Emerging Trends
- **Renewable Energy Logistics:** With Greece’s ambitious **2030 renewable target**, Eleusina is positioning itself as a hub for **wind‑farm component transshipment**, leveraging its heavy‑lift cranes and deep‑draft berths.
- **Digital Trade Documentation:** Adoption of **blockchain‑based e‑Certificates of Origin** (pilot project with the European Union) is expected to accelerate customs clearance and reduce paperwork by 40 % by 2027.
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### References
- International Maritime Organization (IMO) – Port State Control Guidelines↗
- Greek Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport – Official Port Statistics (2023)↗
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*The Port of Eleusina continues to evolve, balancing traditional bulk operations with high‑tech container handling and sustainable practices, thereby anchoring Greece’s maritime competitiveness in an increasingly interconnected global trade environment.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
GREEU
Country
Greece
Province / Region
Attiki
Latitude
38.030000
Longitude
23.530000
Timezone
Europe/Athens
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Eleusina?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Eleusina is GREEU.
Where is Port of Eleusina located?
The Port of Eleusina is located in Greece, Attiki. Its coordinates are 38.0300°N, 23.5300°E.
What time zone is Port of Eleusina in?
Port of Eleusina operates in the Europe/Athens time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.14 m
Wave Direction177°
Swell Height0.04 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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