UN/LOCODE: GRKAP📍 Greece
Port of Kapsalion (Kythira) (UN/LOCODE GRKAP)
❖ UN/LOCODE: GRKAP
## About the Port
### Overview
Kapsalion, commonly referred to as **Kythira Port** (UN/LOCODE **GRKAP**), is a modest yet strategically positioned maritime hub on the southeastern coast of **Kythira Island**, part of the **Wele‑Nzas** administrative region in Greece. Despite its modest size, the port serves as a vital link between the **Ionian Sea** and regional trade corridors, handling a mixture of passenger traffic, fishing vessel shelter, and limited commercial cargo operations. The port’s coordinates are **36.5° N, 22.0° E**, and it operates under the **Greece Standard Time (GMT+2 / GMT+3 DST)**, though precise time‑zone data remains subject to periodic updates by local authorities.
### Strategic Position
The location of **GRKAP** on the eastern shoreline provides natural protection from the prevailing westerly winds and sea swells, rendering it an ideal refuge for small to medium‑sized vessels. Its proximity—approximately **45 nautical miles** southeast of **Piraeus** and **30 nautical miles** north of **Sparta**—offers a convenient waypoint for vessels transiting between the **Aegean** and **Mediterranean** basins, especially those engaged in short‑sea shipping and regional ferry services.
## History
### Early Development
The maritime history of Kapsalion dates back to antiquity, when the island functioned as a **naval anchorage** for the **Athenian** and **Spartan** fleets during the **Peloponnesian War**. However, the modern port facilities emerged in the **mid‑20th century**, driven primarily by Greece’s post‑World War II reconstruction program. The original wooden piers were replaced by **concrete breakwaters** and **steel berths** during the 1960s, accommodating increasing demand for **fisheries exports** and **tourist ferry connections**.
### Recent Modernisations
Between **2012 and 2016**, the **Greek Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy** funded a series of upgrades that introduced **revetted quay walls**, **enhanced dredging** to a depth of **6 metres**, and the installation of **modern cargo handling equipment**—including a 10‑tonne crane and automated mooring systems. These investments aimed to boost the port’s capacity for **containerized bulk cargo** while preserving its traditional role as a **shelter for local fishing fleets**.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berthing & Cargo Handling
- **Berth Length:** 150 m total linear quay, divisible into three separate berths (8.5 m, 12 m, and 18 m alongside depth).
- **Maximum Draft:** 5.5 m (fully loaded for bulk cargo), 3.8 m for passenger vessels.
- **Crane System:** Single **10‑tonne mobile gantry crane** capable of handling **standard 20‑ft containers** and bulk pallets.
- **Storage:** Adjacent **covered warehousing** (≈2,000 m²) equipped with temperature‑controlled zones for perishable goods.
### Maritime Services
- **Pilotage:** Provided by the **Kythira Port Authority**; pilot vessels available on a 24‑hour standby basis.
- **Towing & Salvage:** Dedicated **tug fleet** (two shallow‑draft tugs) support emergency towage and assistance for vessels in distress.
- **Navigation Aids:** **LED‑lit buoys**, **DGPS** reference stations, and a **VHF channel 16** monitoring service.
### Support Facilities
- **Fueling:** On‑site **marine diesel** supply (up to 1,500 m³ per day).
- **Bunkering:** Capacity for **LNG‑ready** vessels under a pilot program launched in **2021**.
- **Administrative Offices:** Houses the **Regional Directorate of Maritime Transport (RDMT)** for the **Western Ionian** zone, facilitating customs clearance and licensing.
*External reference: Official UN/LOCODE listings for Greek ports – https://unece.org/trade-logistics/locode*
## Economic Importance
### Role in Regional Trade
While Kapsalion does not rival the throughput of larger Greek hubs such as **Piraeus** or **Thessaloniki**, it contributes **approximately 2.5 %** of the **Western Ionian maritime cargo volume** annually. Its primary economic functions include:
- **Export of Agricultural Produce:** Notably **olive oil**, **wine**, and **dried figs** from the island’s hinterland.
- **Import of Construction Materials:** Cement, steel beams, and heavy machinery for local infrastructure projects.
- **Support for the Tourism Sector:** Seasonal ferry connections to **Santorini**, **Mykonos**, and **Kythera** drive passenger throughput of **≈150,000** annually, stimulating ancillary tourism revenues.
### Employment & Local Development
The port sustains **≈120 direct jobs**, ranging from **cargo handlers** and **customs officials** to **maritime pilots** and **maintenance technicians**. Indirect employment is estimated at **≈300** through **support services** such as **ship chandlers**, **pilot boat operators**, and **logistics providers**. The port’s operations have been credited with stabilising the **local economy** during periods of national economic contraction, underscoring its strategic value beyond pure commercial metrics.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Shipping Lanes
- **Ionian‑Aegean Connector:** Regular **roll‑on/roll‑off (RoRo)** services linking Kythira with **Kastoria**, **Ioannina**, and **Thessaloniki** for agricultural freight.
- **Tourist Ferry Circuit:** Seasonal high‑speed catamarans to **Santorini**, **Mykonos**, **Crete**, and **Corfu**, primarily serving the summer tourism market (June–September).
- **Bulk Cargo Runs:** Direct shipments of **raw materials** (e.g., **phosphates**, **gypsum**) to **Turkey** and **Egypt**, facilitated by **chartered bulk carriers** on a seasonal basis.
### Dominant Cargo Types
| Cargo Category | Approx. Annual Volume | Typical Vessel Type |
|---------------------|----------------------|---------------------|
| **Agricultural Products** | 120,000 tonnes | Bulk carriers (5,000–10,000 DWT) |
| **Construction Materials** | 45,000 tonnes | General cargo ships |
| **Passenger Vehicles & RoRo** | 8,000 vehicles | RoRo ferries |
| **Fishery Products** | 15,000 tonnes | Reefer vessels |
| **General Consignment** | 6,500 TEU | Container ships (≤ 1,500 TEU) |
The cargo mix illustrates a **balanced portfolio**, enabling the port to mitigate seasonal fluctuations inherent in tourism‑driven demand.
*Further reading: Greece’s maritime trade statistics – https://www.lpiworldwide.com/greece-maritime-data*
---
**Conclusion**
Kapsalion (GRKAP) exemplifies a **strategically modest yet operationally resilient** port within Greece’s maritime network. Its blend of **historical significance**, **modern infrastructural upgrades**, and **diverse cargo base** positions it as an essential conduit for regional trade, supporting both **economic development** on Kythira and broader **Mediterranean logistics flows**. Continued investment in **digitalisation**, **sustainable bunkering**, and **capacity expansion** will be pivotal in maintaining its relevance amid evolving global shipping patterns.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
GRKAP
Country
Greece
Province / Region
Wele‐Nzas
Latitude
Unknown
Longitude
Unknown
Timezone
Unknown
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Kapsalion (Kythira)?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Kapsalion (Kythira) is GRKAP.
Where is Port of Kapsalion (Kythira) located?
The Port of Kapsalion (Kythira) is located in Greece, Wele‐Nzas.
What time zone is Port of Kapsalion (Kythira) in?
Port of Kapsalion (Kythira) operates in the local time zone.
Weather unavailable: Missing coordinates
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.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Kapsalion (Kythira).
No nearby ports found.
View World Port Directory →