On April 28, COSCO SHIPPING Piraeus Port Authority S.A. (PPA) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the “PPA Park” project at the cruise terminal. Approximately 350 representatives from various local sectors and the public attended the event, including Domna Michailidou, Greek Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs; Stefanos Gkikas, Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy; Kostas Katsafados, Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection; Ioannis Tragakis, Chairman of the Greece-China Parliamentary Friendship Group; and Yiannis Moralis, Mayor of Piraeus.
The “PPA Park” project is located within the port’s cruise terminal area. It is a comprehensive public livelihood project integrating leisure, sports, and public services, with a total investment of approximately 3.2485 million euros and a construction period of 24 months. Adhering to the philosophy of “people-centered and shared development,” the project holistically plans and constructs a standardized children’s playground, cycling lanes, outdoor fitness facilities, and multi-functional activity spaces, providing diversified services for different age groups and individuals with disabilities. The project encompasses infrastructure including an approximately 2,200-square-meter zoned playground for children of different age groups with a circular two-way cycling lane, a nearly 1,395-square-meter parking area (including accessible parking spaces), and 174 square meters of supporting service facilities. It also features an outdoor fitness zone and multi-functional activity spaces, striving to create a new landmark for an urban public space that is functionally complete, open, and shared.
Over the decade since COSCO SHIPPING assumed the overall management and operation of the Port of Piraeus, it has driven the port’s leapfrog development, significantly enhancing its comprehensive competitiveness and international influence, and effectively promoting Greek economic development and regional connectivity. This park project is not merely an infrastructure upgrade, but also an important measure for the enterprise to fulfill its social responsibilities and give back to the local community. It marks a new step taken by COSCO SHIPPING Piraeus in continuously deepening its social responsibility practices and promoting port-city integration.
Greek Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs Domna Michailidou emphasized that creating modern and accessible public spaces for all is a key priority. The PPA Park is a public livelihood project that tangibly strengthens social cohesion and supports the daily lives of families. Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Stefanos Gkikas stated that the development of port infrastructure must advance in tandem with projects that improve citizens’ daily lives, and the PPA Park strengthens the connection between the port and the city. Mayor of Piraeus Yiannis Moralis pointed out that the PPA Park will not only improve residents’ daily lives but also drive the gradual upgrading of the cruise terminal’s image. The city and the port should always share the common goal of enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Piraeus.
Han Chao, Chairman of PPA, stated that a port is not merely a logistics hub, but also an integral component of urban development. PPA has always been committed to sharing the fruits of its development with society and prioritizes enhancing public well-being. Looking ahead, PPA will continue to advance the development of a green, low-carbon, and digitally intelligent port, striving to build a world-class port with international competitiveness and promoting the long-term, stable, and sustainable development of the Port of Piraeus.
Upon completion, the PPA Park project will effectively improve the overall environment of the cruise terminal area, enhance the spatial connection and functional integration between the port and the city, and enhance the port’s public service capabilities. It will further optimize the visitor experience, helping the Port of Piraeus achieve its goal of becoming a world-class port.
