The port of Thessaloniki has piqued the interest of Russian Railways, especially if combined with the upcoming privatization of the Greek rail operator Trainose and its rolling stock maintenance spin-off Rosco S.A., Russian Transportation Minister Maksim Sokolov told reporters in the northern port city on Saturday.
The Russian minister made the statement on the sidelines of a meeting with Greek Deputy FM Dimitris Mardas, and following a meeting of a joint committee of ministers between the two countries.
Sokolov confirmed that Russian Railways (RZD) has officially submitted its interest for Trainose and is evaluating the possible investment ahead of the next phase of privatization.
Asked about the Thessaloniki Port Authority (OLTh), he said the Russian side is “waiting for the situation to clear up” before expressing its intent, while nevertheless saying that Russian investors want an “overall deal” for the rail operator and port, “because it involves a supply chain.”
The Russian minister toured the port on Saturday and met with the port authority’s management and relevant transport minister Christos Spirtzis.
