Thriassio II concession tender extended until the end of 2024

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has granted a new extension to the Hellenic Train-Damco consortium for the Thriasio II tender. There are still outstanding issues that need to be resolved. The consortium requested an extension to complete the collection of the necessary documents.

According to a decision by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, a new extension has been granted for the validity of the consortium’s offer in order to complete the finalization process of the contractual documents and the pre-contractual audit by the Court of Auditors within the validity period of the contractor’s offer. The new deadline for the consortium is now set for October 31, 2024.

As stated in the decision, the finalization process of the contractual documents has progressed, and the contractor is expected to submit the final drafts to the awarding authority for approval shortly. Subsequently, they will be submitted to the Court of Auditors for the pre-contractual audit. At the end of October, the validity of the consortium’s guarantee letters was also extended.

Subsequently, upon successful completion of the audit, approval from the Competition Commission will be required. The concession contract will then proceed to Parliament for ratification, after which it will be signed and come into effect. It should be clarified that any work and investments will commence within a reasonable time from the signing of the contract, as is customary for every concession project.

The Hellenic Train-Damco consortium is taking over the management of the new freight centre in Aspropyrgos, known as Thriasio II. This property is considered one of the most important in Attica. It is located right next to Thriasio I (Thriasio Freight Center), which is managed by the ETBA VIPE-GOLDAIR consortium.

The steps that brought us here

To get to this point, on January 10, 2023, a detailed technical report by the Financial Advisor for the awarding of the Concession Contract was presented. This report, following a relevant financial analysis, outlined the range of prices for an economic offer that could be considered economically reasonable and reflective of market conditions within the framework of the tender. On February 23, 2023, there was a letter from the Financial Advisor to the awarding authority concerning the evaluation of the economic offer submitted within the context of the tender.

Finally, the Tender Committee completed the review and evaluation of the provisional contractor’s documents and determined that they were complete and acceptable according to the requirements of the relevant articles of the Tender Notice.

The project cost amounts to €696 million, including VAT (€561.04 million excluding VAT). It is being carried out within the framework of the open International Tender for the awarding of a Concession Contract for the Operation, Maintenance, Utilization, completion of studies, construction works, and supply of equipment for the Thriasio Field Freight Center, in accordance with the provisions of Law 4413/2016.

If the tender is successfully completed, it is estimated that it will significantly boost the logistics sector in the Attica region. It should be noted that the first tender was attempted in 2019, and the second started in 2021. Both ended unsuccessfully despite rumours of interest from major companies, mainly in the maritime and rail sectors. The problem in both tenders was that, despite the initial interest shown by many investment entities, there was no participation at the critical bidding stage, as the project was deemed unprofitable.

The property has seen investments totalling tens of millions for the creation of railway infrastructure, buildings, roads, etc., and is intended to be transformed into a modern logistics park.

It is the second largest property in the Attica region, second only to Athens International Airport, Eleftherios Venizelos. It spans approximately 1,450 acres and is owned by OSE (Hellenic Railways Organization). The property includes constructed and operational railway infrastructure, access roads, a rail sorting station, freight handling areas, customs and office spaces, storage facilities, and other supporting service buildings.

The project profile

The tender concerns the operation, maintenance, utilization, completion of studies, construction works, and equipment supply for the Thriasio Pedio Freight Railway Station and Sorting Station.

The concession contract is for 360 months (30 years) from the date of its signing and includes a period (to be determined) for the required works.

The completed works enable Thriasio II’s basic functionality. More specifically, during the first phase of development, essential railway and road infrastructure works, networks, and electromechanical equipment were carried out. In the second phase of development, further railway and road infrastructure works, networks, and electromechanical equipment were completed, alongside the implementation of railway building projects, signalling works, and electrification.

To complete the entire Thriasio II project, pending tasks relate to building construction and the supply and installation of specialized equipment. The Concessionaire will undertake these tasks as part of the Technical Project’s execution.

Construction projects and works have been completed to date regarding the Thriasio Pedio Freight Railway Station and Sorting Station. The goal is to establish the first integrated complex of combined transport facilities in Greece and consolidate scattered railway activities across Attica into this central hub.

The Freight Railway Station and Sorting Station stands for the Thriasio, owned by OSE S.A. (Hellenic Railways Organization). It includes constructed and operational railway infrastructure, access roads, a rail sorting station, freight handling areas, customs and office spaces, and other supporting service buildings. It is located in an area outside the urban plan of Thriasio Pedio in the Municipality of Aspropyrgos, Attica.

It is noted that buildings K1, K2, and K3 have been constructed and exist within the Pedio Freight Railway Station, but they are not part of the Concession.

The project

In the context of implementing the Concession Agreement under the scheme of Hellenic Train-Damco for the transformation of Thrakomakedones II into a comprehensive Logistics Park, construction of buildings and procurement and installation of specialized equipment will be required, tasks that the Concessionaire will undertake as part of the Technical Project execution.

Upon its full development, within the framework of the Concession Agreement, the Concession Area is expected to consist of the following functional units/operational areas:

• a) Railway System
• b) Combined Transport Loading Area (CTL)
• c) Road Transport Service Area (RTSA)
• d) Wagon Freight Loading Area (WFLA)
• e) General Freight Loading Areas (GFLA)
• f) Vehicle Loading Area (VLA)
• g) Road System
• h) Administration and Control Center (ACC)
• i) Liquid Cargo Loading Area (LCLA)

Based on the above infrastructure and international practices of similar freight stations, the Concession Area is expected to offer services for trains, wagons, and freight. The relevant services for trains and wagons generally involve their marshalling, parking at the station, and other maintenance, repair, and washing services.

The services provided for goods (containers and other cargo) mainly include their handling and storage, as well as supporting services for containers (stuffing/unstuffing, repair, washing, etc.).

Finally, within the Concession Area, there will be a customs office for imported goods that have not undergone clearance.

Within the Concession Area, there is an operational Railway Infrastructure, and railway servicing services will be provided in accordance with the provisions of the Concession Agreement.

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