UN/LOCODE: GRSKG📍 Greece

Port of Thessaloniki (UN/LOCODE GRSKG)

❖ Coordinates: 40.6300°N, 22.9500°E

❖ Time Zone: Europe/Athens

❖ UN/LOCODE: GRSKG

## About the Port The Port of Thessaloniki (UN/LOCODE: GRSKG) is a cornerstone of Greece's maritime infrastructure, situated along the Thermaic Gulf in the northern part of the country. Located at coordinates 40.63°N, 22.95°E, the port operates in the Europe/Athens timezone and serves as the primary maritime gateway for the Balkans and Central Europe. As the second-largest port in Greece after Piraeus, it handles over 17 million tons of cargo annually and facilitates approximately 4 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of container traffic, underscoring its critical role in regional trade dynamics. The port's strategic position enables seamless connectivity to major European markets via rail, road, and river networks, making it a vital node in the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). ## History Thessaloniki's maritime heritage stretches back millennia, with the port playing a pivotal role in ancient trade routes connecting the Aegean Sea to the Balkans. Under Ottoman rule from the 15th to early 20th centuries, it remained a bustling commercial hub. Following the Balkan Wars, the port came under Greek administration in 1912, transforming into a modern facility during the interwar period. Post-World War II reconstruction in the 1950s and 1960s modernized its infrastructure, aligning it with global shipping standards. A significant expansion in the late 20th century included the development of dedicated container terminals, solidifying its status as a Mediterranean hub. In recent decades, privatization efforts and EU funding have driven further upgrades, including the 2019 inauguration of a state-of-the-art container terminal capable of accommodating mega-ships. ## Infrastructure & Facilities The port features a diversified infrastructure tailored to handle a wide array of cargo types. Its container terminal spans 245 hectares and includes 12 berths with a combined quay length of 2.3 kilometers. Equipped with 15 post-Panamax gantry cranes and advanced yard handling systems, the terminal ensures efficient loading and unloading of vessels. The port also operates specialized facilities for bulk cargo (coal, grains, fertilizers), liquid bulk (petroleum products, chemicals), and roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) traffic, serving ferries to the Aegean islands and international destinations. Storage capabilities encompass silos for dry bulk, tank farms for liquids, and covered warehouses for general cargo. A free zone industrial area adjacent to the port offers customs-approved storage and light manufacturing facilities. The port’s intermodal hub connects directly to the national railway network and the A25 motorway, enabling seamless inland distribution. Investments in digital logistics platforms and smart port technologies have enhanced operational efficiency, aligning Thessaloniki with global maritime digitization trends. ## Economic Importance The Port of Thessaloniki contributes significantly to Greece’s economy, directly supporting approximately 9,000 jobs and generating an estimated €300 million in annual revenue. It serves as a regional economic driver, particularly for northern Greece and the broader Balkan region, where over 60% of cargo is destined. The port’s strategic location enables cost-effective access to Central and Eastern Europe, reducing reliance on longer routes through Western European ports. The port plays a pivotal role in Greece’s energy sector, handling refined petroleum products and serving as a logistics center for the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project, which delivers Caspian natural gas to Europe. Its connectivity via the Aegean Sea and proximity to the Suez Canal also positions it as a transshipment hub for goods moving between Asia and Europe. In 2022, the port processed over 1.3 million TEUs, reflecting a 12% year-on-year growth in container traffic. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo Thessaloniki connects to global trade routes via the Mediterranean Sea, serving as a gateway for cargo moving between the Black Sea, Middle East, and Western Europe. Key liner services link the port to major hubs such as Rotterdam, Hamburg, Istanbul, and Piraeus, with operators like MSC and Maersk maintaining frequent calls. Major cargo categories include containerized manufactured goods, agricultural products (notably Greek cotton and grain exports), and raw materials like coal and iron ore. The port also handles significant volumes of Ro-Ro traffic, particularly for automotive and construction equipment destined for the Balkans. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and chemicals are processed through its liquid bulk terminals, while the nearby industrial zone leverages the port for the export of steel and aluminum. The port’s intermodal integration allows for direct rail shipments to inland Europe, with connections to Germany, Austria, and Hungary. In 2023, plans to expand the railway siding capacity aim to increase freight train throughput by 30%, further enhancing its competitiveness. Collaborations with neighboring ports, such as Piraeus and Varna (Bulgaria), have strengthened its role in the Mediterranean-Europe supply chain. For authoritative insights, refer to the Official Port of Thessaloniki Website↗ and the Hellenic Statistical Authority↗.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

GRSKG

Country

Greece

Province / Region

Makedonia Thraki

Latitude

40.630000

Longitude

22.950000

Timezone

Europe/Athens

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Thessaloniki?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Thessaloniki is GRSKG.

Where is Port of Thessaloniki located?

The Port of Thessaloniki is located in Greece, Makedonia Thraki. Its coordinates are 40.6300°N, 22.9500°E.

What time zone is Port of Thessaloniki in?

Port of Thessaloniki operates in the Europe/Athens time zone.

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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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