The Port of Zeolite – Nikos Lygeros
If there are still people in Thrace who wonder what role the port of Alexandroupoli might play, the answer is simple. Over time, Alexandroupoli could become the ‘port of zeolite’ and associate its name with this strategic mineral resource that Thrace possesses. The existence of the railway line, which extends right into the port, opening up the possibility of transporting goods by train, is a major advantage that can easily be utilised in a rational and strategic manner. The link between the mineral deposits and the port, which provides access to the Aegean Sea and opens up the Mediterranean, is of strategic importance not only for Thrace but for our entire country.
The port of Alexandroupoli has the potential to be a connecting link and a key element in the strategic development of Thrace. The reputation of zeolite, owing to its properties and the breadth of its applications, can promote the port and its recovery in a dynamic way. As this represents a new initiative for the whole of Thrace, the strategic utilisation of zeolite is a springboard for the port. The change brought about by zeolite will be followed by other strategies to create a strategic mix, to transform both the image and the reality of a port which, by its very nature, is larger than the port of Piraeus. Furthermore, the port area itself, with all the open spaces it possesses, can be adapted to play a dynamic role, not only as a transit point but also in the processing of zeolite, enabling large-scale vertical integration of production, so that the proceeds can make a tangible contribution to the development of Thrace. For zeolite, like the port, is a strategic asset for the wider region. The port, which combines an airport and a railway station, is the very heart of the city. The sooner local authorities realise this, the sooner the future of Thrace will change.