New mega logistics park tender in Thessaloniki kicks off

GAIAOSE, a company affiliated with the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund, announces the commencement of a competition for the development of a Business Park on the site of the former Gonou Barracks in Thessaloniki.

The competition will be conducted through a competitive dialogue procedure, and the successful bidder will be responsible for the licensing, development, construction, financing, operation, maintenance, and exploitation of the Business Park, which covers a total area of 672,000 square meters.

GAIAOSE, as the beneficiary of the project, has assigned the Strategic Importance Contracts Unit of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) to conduct the competition.

The duration of the Concession Agreement will be at least thirty (30) years, and the project’s budget is estimated to be around 260 million euros. The exact duration of the concession, as well as any possible extension, will be determined upon completion of the competitive dialogue process and will be included in the Invitation to Submit Binding Offers.

The Strategic Importance Contracts Unit of HRADF has completed the necessary preliminary actions for the property’s development, including technical and commercial exploration of alternative development tools, with the aim of ensuring the attractiveness of the property and spatial planning guidelines.

The competitive process will be conducted in two phases. The first phase involves the pre-selection of candidates based on technical and financial criteria, while the second phase consists of completing a competitive dialogue with the pre-selected candidates and submitting binding financial offers. Interested investors are invited to submit their expression of interest by October 15, 2024.

The property at the former Gonou Barracks is planned to be developed as a modern freight center for combined transport, serving as a hub for business activities and supply chain operations. It occupies a strategic location at the western entrance of Thessaloniki, being in close proximity to major road, rail, and ferry hubs. The property’s proximity to the Port of Thessaloniki, the Egnatia Odos highway, Thessaloniki Airport, and the adjacent rail infrastructure, along with its proximity to the Balkans, provides significant geostrategic advantages for the planned development and its anticipated uses.

Panagiotis Ballomenos, CEO of GAIAOSE, stated: ‘GAIAOSE, managing one of the largest property portfolios in the country, once again takes an active role in projects of national significance. While the development of our property at Thriassio as a freight center is underway, today marks the beginning of the competitive process for the development of the former Gonou Barracks in Thessaloniki as a business center. With a focus on the Balkans, Northern Greece, and particularly Thessaloniki, will gain an infrastructure project that will position them as key players in the combined transport sector. We thank the PPF team for achieving this milestone and are committed to providing every necessary resource to complete this effort.

Panagiotis Stampoulidis, Executive Advisor of HRADF and Head of the Strategic Importance Contracts Unit (PPF), stated: ‘The PPF has proven its ability to mature projects with longstanding issues, such as the property at the former Gonou Barracks in Thessaloniki. Today, on behalf of GAIAOSE, we are launching the competition for a very significant project, which, combined with the ongoing development of a similar center in Fyli, will contribute to establishing Greece as a logistics hub. Northern Greece will gain a modern business park that will offer higher-quality services in the combined transport sector, with substantial benefits for the local community and the national economy. The Strategic Importance Contracts Unit of HRADF, as a trusted advisor to the State, continues to consistently implement visionary projects to attract investments and improve the competitiveness of the Greek economy.

For more details and the complete article in Greek, click here