Volos Port, Greece
The Port
Volos Port, also known as Bolos, lies in the Aegean Sea in the East Mediterranean, built at the innermost point of the Pagasetic Gulf, about 326km north of Athens and 215km South of Thessaloniki. Volos is the capital of the Magnesia regional unit of the Thessaly Region, the country’s largest agricultural area. As the only outlet to the sea from Thessaly, this port therefore provides an important “bridge” between Europe and Asia.
Volos Port in its current location was founded in 1893 and today is the third largest cargo port in Greece behind Piraeus and Thessaloniki, moving agricultural and industrial products.
It is also a leading ferry port connecting to the nearby Sporades Islands, and an important cruise ship destination, with ships carrying well over 100,000 visitors every summer.
The port is operated by the Port Authority of Volos which was acquired in October 2023 by the Port of Thessaloniki.
The City of Volos
Volos City has a relatively small population of around 120,000 people, but is one of the most industrial and industrious centres in Greece, specialising in steel production, with 3 major steel production companies having established manufacturing plants in the city. One of the largest cement production facilities in the world is also located here, owned by the largest cement company in Greece, the Heracles Group.
Volos is of course also a major tourist destination – the magnificent islands and spectacular beaches that lie around Volos such as Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonisos are a sight to behold for the many thousands of tourists that flock here each year.
Development is therefore key, and this takes place as a region under an organization named Medcruise – “The Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports Promotes the cruise industry and unites the ports of ‘Mare Nostrum’ and its adjoining seas”
The tourists are also interested in the mythology of the area, specifically the attractions of Mount Pelion – the abode of the mythical Centaurs who were half men and half horses – towering over Volos and the cost of Pagasitikos Bay. According to the Medcruise website, “The port of Volos was the starting point of the greatest nautical adventure in ancient mythology, Jason and the Argonaut’s expedition, which played a vital role in the development of the modern world”
As Greek port cities go, Volos is the newest of the Greek port cities, with a large proportion of modern buildings erected following catastrophic 6.2m earthquake in 1955. One person was killed and over 300 houses and four-fifths of commercial buildings destroyed
Not immune from its share of nature’s dangers, in September 2023 the city of Volos was flooded by massive rain which cause extensive damage.
In terms of culture, as a direct result of history bringing in various cultures to the area, the city is very diverse in the food, music, sports, entertainment and social life today, with each of the many cultures bring something to the table.
Port of Call Consulting is a proud service provider to Volos Port – should you require any underwater maintenance services here, please feel free to contact us