No. 47. RESTRUCTURING AND PRIVATIZATION OF THE GREEK RAILWAYS AND PORTS (in Greek)

D.T. Athanassakopoulos. 2006. | ISBN: 960-341-069-1

 

This study examines how and under what circumstances the operation of the centralized public Greek railway and the two major ports of Piraeus and Thessaloniki can be reorganized so as to better match market requirements. The study takes into account the diverse characteristics of the above facilities that may lead to different regulatory schemes, given that some operate better under competition while others as a natural monopoly.

 

Restructuring involves the radical reorganization of a facility’s operations in ways that improve its ability to respond to the changing needs of its customers. Restructuring is necessary in view of the intense global competition, which forces all players to change upon doing business in the international logistics chain. As a result of an increasing trade and a growing trend toward globalization, the world economies have become move interdependent, whereas innovative systems and new technology radically change the requirements for the infrastructure of the facilities and increase the degree of specialization, thus raising the financial stakes of investments and the need for private sector participation.  Moreover, since the assets of the facilities are among the most valuable in the state’s infrastructure portfolio, reorganizing them is important in enhancing their value.