State aid: Commission approves €47 million public support for Greek port of Igoumenitsa

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, Greece’s plans to grant €47.3 million of public support for the construction of a new quay in the port of Igoumenitsa, on the north-west coast of Greece. The aim of the project is to decrease congestion, harmful emissions and the risk of accidents, by relocating the port’s international activities to a new quay situated out of the city of Igoumenitsa. The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules. It found that the public support was proportionate and necessary for the implementation of the investment. Furthermore, the Commission considered that Igoumenitsa, while being a relatively small port with limited transport volumes at EU level, is part of the core trans-European transport network (TEN-T). The Commission concluded that the public support is in line with EU State aid rules, as it will further the construction of EU priority transport infrastructure and reduce safety risks for passengers without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market. More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number SA.48220.