Port of Thessaloniki
The Port of Thessaloniki is a major Greek seaport located in Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, on the Thermaic Gulf in the northern Aegean Sea. It serves Thessaloniki, Northern Greece, Central Macedonia, the Balkans, Southeast Europe, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, Romania, importers, exporters, manufacturers, retailers, industrial companies, agricultural producers, and international trade lanes connected to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Black Sea, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and global container networks. The port’s UN/LOCODE is GRSKG.
Thessaloniki handles containers, general cargo, breakbulk cargo, dry bulk, liquid bulk, refrigerated cargo, machinery, vehicles, steel, marble, tobacco, fruit, palletized cargo, minerals, ores, coal, solid fuel, cereals, feedstuffs, fertilizers, cement, scrap, chemicals, industrial inputs, project cargo, and commercial freight. It is especially important for businesses connected to Northern Greece, Balkan transit logistics, Southeast European distribution, industrial supply chains, agricultural trade, and Mediterranean shipping.
The port is operated by Thessaloniki Port Authority S.A. and includes container, conventional cargo, general cargo, bulk, breakbulk, logistics, free zone, rail, cruise, ferry, and passenger facilities. Container operations are handled in the western part of Pier 6, while conventional cargo operations are supported by multiple quay areas connected to road and rail networks.
Port of Thessaloniki Overview
| Port Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Port name | Port of Thessaloniki |
| Country | Greece |
| Region | Thessaloniki / Central Macedonia / Thermaic Gulf / Northern Aegean |
| UN/LOCODE | GRSKG |
| Port type | Seaport / container port / multipurpose port / conventional cargo port / Balkan gateway |
| Port operator | Thessaloniki Port Authority S.A. |
| Main terminal areas | Container Terminal at Pier 6, Conventional Cargo Terminal, Free Zone, cruise and ferry areas, logistics and rail-connected cargo areas |
| Main cargo focus | Containers, conventional cargo, dry bulk, liquid bulk, general cargo, breakbulk cargo, transit cargo, industrial cargo |
| Main terminal types | Container terminal, conventional cargo terminal, multipurpose terminal, dry bulk terminal, liquid bulk terminal, reefer facilities, rail-connected cargo areas |
| Cargo types | Containers, machinery, vehicles, steel, marble, tobacco, fruit, cereals, fertilizers, cement, scrap, minerals, ores, coal, refrigerated cargo, project cargo |
| Suitable for | Importers, exporters, freight forwarders, manufacturers, retailers, agricultural shippers, industrial companies, Balkan transit operators, project cargo shippers |
Why Ship Through the Port of Thessaloniki?
Thessaloniki is strategically located in Northern Greece with access to the Balkans, Southeast Europe, the Aegean Sea, and Mediterranean trade routes. Its position makes it a practical gateway for cargo moving between Greece, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, Romania, and wider European and global markets.
For importers, Thessaloniki provides access to Northern Greece, Balkan inland markets, warehouses, industrial zones, logistics parks, retail distribution centers, agricultural processors, manufacturing facilities, and inland transport corridors. For exporters, the port supports cargo moving from Greece and Southeast Europe to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and other global destinations.
The port is especially relevant for businesses shipping containers, machinery, vehicles, steel, marble, tobacco, fruit, cereals, fertilizers, cement, chemicals, industrial inputs, refrigerated goods, general cargo, breakbulk cargo, dry bulk, liquid bulk, transit cargo, and project cargo.
Container Shipping Through Thessaloniki
The Port of Thessaloniki supports containerized import, export, transit, regional, and international cargo flows. The Container Terminal is located in the western part of Pier 6 and is connected with the national rail network, supporting cargo movement between the port and inland markets in Greece and the Balkans.
Businesses use Thessaloniki for:
- Import containers into Greece
- Export containers from Greece
- Full container load shipments
- Less than container load shipments
- Transit cargo moving through the Balkans and Southeast Europe
- Regional distribution cargo for Northern Greece, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, Romania, and wider Balkan markets
- Industrial cargo movements
- Machinery, vehicles, steel, marble, tobacco, fruit, cereals, fertilizers, cement, scrap, chemicals, and consumer goods
- Reefer containers for frozen goods, chilled goods, fruit, food products, pharmaceuticals, and temperature-sensitive cargo
- Cargo moving to or from Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Northern Greece, Athens, Sofia, Skopje, Niš, Belgrade, Pristina, Bucharest, and wider Balkan logistics zones
- Shipments connected to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Black Sea, North Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and wider global container trade lanes
- Cargo connecting through regional hubs such as Piraeus, Istanbul, Izmir, Mersin, Constanta, Varna, Burgas, Durres, Bar, Rijeka, Trieste, Venice, Koper, Malta Freeport, Gioia Tauro, Genoa, Valencia, Algeciras, Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Singapore, Shanghai, and Ningbo
For larger shipments, FCL shipping is usually suitable when cargo can fill a 20ft or 40ft container. For smaller shipments, LCL shipping allows businesses to move partial container loads without paying for a full container.
Thessaloniki Freight Rates
Freight Shipping Cost from & to Thessaloniki for a 20-foot Container
Port Capacity and Terminal Infrastructure
The Port of Thessaloniki has container, conventional cargo, dry bulk, liquid bulk, general cargo, breakbulk, reefer, customs, gate, free zone, rail, warehousing, cruise, ferry, and inland logistics infrastructure. The Container Terminal at Pier 6 covers approximately 254,000 square meters and has a 550-meter quay length. It is part of the Free Zone and is connected with the national rail network.
The Conventional Cargo Terminal handles general cargo such as steel, marble, tobacco, fruits, and palletized cargo, as well as solid bulk cargo such as minerals, ores, coal, solid fuel, cereals, feedstuffs, fertilizers, cement, and scrap. Conventional cargo operations are supported by multiple quays connected to national and international rail networks.
The port’s infrastructure supports:
- Container handling
- Import and export container flows
- Transit cargo
- General cargo handling
- Conventional cargo operations
- Breakbulk cargo operations
- Dry bulk cargo
- Liquid bulk cargo
- Reefer container operations
- Steel, marble, and palletized cargo
- Fruit and food cargo logistics
- Cereals, feedstuffs, fertilizers, cement, minerals, ores, coal, and scrap
- Machinery, vehicles, and industrial equipment
- Free zone and warehousing activity
- Yard and gate operations
- Customs clearance and inspection processes
- Trucking, rail, and inland delivery
- Connections with Thessaloniki, Northern Greece, Central Macedonia, Sofia, Skopje, Niš, Belgrade, Pristina, Bucharest, and wider Balkan logistics corridors
This infrastructure makes Thessaloniki suitable for containerized freight, transit cargo, Balkan distribution, conventional cargo, bulk cargo, industrial shipments, reefer cargo, project cargo, and international commercial freight connected to Greece and Southeast Europe.
Main Cargo Handled Through Thessaloniki
The Port of Thessaloniki handles a broad mix of containerized cargo, conventional cargo, general cargo, dry bulk, liquid bulk, refrigerated cargo, machinery, vehicles, steel, marble, fruit, tobacco, cereals, fertilizers, cement, scrap, minerals, ores, chemicals, industrial inputs, breakbulk cargo, and project cargo.
| Cargo Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Containerized imports | Machinery, consumer goods, industrial inputs, chemicals, packaging, refrigerated goods, construction materials |
| Containerized exports | Agricultural products, manufactured goods, tobacco, fruit, machinery, industrial products, commercial freight |
| General cargo | Steel, marble, tobacco, fruits, palletized cargo, commercial cargo |
| Dry bulk cargo | Minerals, ores, coal, solid fuel, cereals, feedstuffs, fertilizers, cement, scrap |
| Liquid bulk cargo | Fuels, oils, chemicals, industrial liquids, regulated liquid cargo when permitted |
| Agricultural cargo | Cereals, fruit, feedstuffs, tobacco, fertilizers, processed agricultural products |
| Machinery cargo | Factory equipment, spare parts, tools, production machinery, industrial equipment |
| Vehicle cargo | Cars, trucks, wheeled equipment, automotive parts, replacement components |
| Chemical cargo | Packaged chemicals, industrial chemicals, fertilizers, plastics, resin, regulated cargo when permitted |
| Construction cargo | Steel products, cement, marble, building materials, fixtures, infrastructure project materials |
| Refrigerated cargo | Frozen goods, chilled goods, fruit, food products, pharmaceuticals, temperature-sensitive products |
| Project cargo | Heavy equipment, industrial cargo, energy-sector cargo, construction project cargo, specialized freight |
Thessaloniki is especially relevant for shippers that need access to Northern Greece, Central Macedonia, Balkan transit corridors, Southeast European distribution, rail-connected cargo services, free zone logistics, industrial cargo handling, agricultural trade, and Mediterranean shipping routes.
Shipping to Thessaloniki Greece
Importers ship cargo to Thessaloniki from Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East, Asia, North America, South America, and other global trade regions.
Common imports to Thessaloniki and Northern Greece include:
- Machinery and spare parts
- Industrial equipment
- Vehicles and automotive parts
- Chemicals and raw materials
- Packaging materials
- Plastic materials and resin
- Food products and beverages
- Refrigerated cargo
- Consumer goods and retail inventory
- Electronics and appliances
- Construction materials
- Steel products
- Marble and stone products
- Medical and healthcare products
- Manufacturing inputs
- General cargo
- Project cargo and oversized equipment
When shipping to Thessaloniki, importers should compare total landed cost rather than only the ocean freight rate. Total landed cost may include origin charges, sea freight, destination charges, EU customs duty where applicable, Greek VAT, terminal handling, customs broker fees, documentation fees, storage, demurrage, detention, trucking, rail movement, inland delivery, inspection fees, and cargo insurance.
Use the iContainers ocean freight calculator to estimate shipping costs and compare available freight options.
Shipping From Thessaloniki Greece
Exporters use Thessaloniki for cargo moving from Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Northern Greece, Greek industrial zones, agricultural regions, Balkan inland markets, warehouses, manufacturers, food producers, tobacco exporters, construction suppliers, and inland logistics corridors to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and other international markets.
Common export cargo from Thessaloniki includes:
- Agricultural products
- Fruit and food products
- Tobacco
- Cereals and feedstuffs
- Fertilizers
- Marble and stone products
- Steel products
- Machinery and spare parts
- Industrial products
- Chemicals
- Manufactured goods
- Consumer goods
- Packaged commercial goods
- Project cargo
- Breakbulk cargo
- Containerized freight
- General commercial cargo
For exporters, the best shipping option depends on cargo volume, product type, destination, Incoterm, sailing schedule, terminal choice, equipment availability, customs documentation, inland pickup location, temperature-control needs, EU export requirements, transit cargo requirements, and required transit time.
FCL is usually more efficient for larger commercial volumes, while LCL can work well for smaller shipments, samples, cartons, pallets, and partial container loads.
FCL vs LCL Shipping Through Thessaloniki Greece
| Shipping Option | Best For | Main Advantage | Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCL shipping | Full 20ft or 40ft container loads | Dedicated container and fewer cargo touchpoints | Best when shipment volume justifies a full container |
| LCL shipping | Smaller shipments, cartons, pallets, samples, partial loads | Pay only for the space used | May involve consolidation or deconsolidation through Thessaloniki, Piraeus, Istanbul, Malta Freeport, Gioia Tauro, Rotterdam, or another hub |
| Reefer container | Food products, frozen goods, chilled goods, fruit, pharmaceuticals | Keeps cargo at controlled temperature | Requires equipment availability, plug capacity, temperature settings, and correct documentation |
| General cargo shipping | Steel, marble, tobacco, fruits, palletized cargo, mixed commercial freight | Flexible for conventional and non-specialized cargo | Requires correct handling, packing, and documentation |
| Dry bulk shipping | Minerals, ores, coal, cereals, feedstuffs, fertilizers, cement, scrap | Suitable for large-volume non-containerized cargo | Requires bulk terminal suitability and cargo-specific handling |
| Liquid bulk shipping | Fuels, oils, chemicals, industrial liquids | Supports energy, chemical, and industrial supply chains | Requires correct classification, permits, tank compatibility, and safety documentation |
| Transit cargo | Cargo moving through Greece to Balkan or Southeast European inland markets | Useful for regional distribution through rail and road corridors | Requires correct customs status, transit documentation, and inland coordination |
| Project cargo | Heavy or complex industrial shipments | Supports industrial, infrastructure, and energy projects | Needs coordination with carrier, terminal, customs broker, and inland transport |
For shippers comparing route options, iContainers’ transit time calculator can help estimate shipping times before booking.
Customs Clearance at Thessaloniki and Greece
Cargo imported or exported through Thessaloniki must comply with Greek and EU customs requirements. Importers and exporters should prepare accurate shipment data before cargo arrival or departure, including product descriptions, HS codes, customs value, country of origin, consignee details, shipper details, importer information, exporter information, EORI details where applicable, and supporting documentation.
Commercial shipments through Thessaloniki may require documents such as a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or sea waybill, import declaration, export declaration, certificate of origin, import license or export license when applicable, insurance certificate, inspection certificate, and product-specific regulatory documents.
Regulated goods such as food products, agricultural goods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, vehicles, batteries, hazardous cargo, plants, animals, timber products, tobacco, and restricted items may require additional permits, inspection, testing, sanitary approval, phytosanitary approval, product registration, safety documentation, or agency authorization under Greek and EU rules.
For more general guidance, read iContainers’ guide to customs clearance.
Documents Needed for Shipping Through Thessaloniki Greece
Most commercial ocean freight shipments to or from Thessaloniki require:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading or sea waybill
- Import or export customs declaration
- HS code and product description
- Importer of record details, when importing into Greece
- Exporter details, when exporting from Greece
- EORI number, when applicable
- EU customs documentation, when applicable
- Transit declaration, when cargo moves inland under customs transit
- Certificate of origin, when required
- Preferential origin certificate, when claiming preferential duty treatment
- Import license or export license, when applicable
- Inspection certificate, when applicable
- Insurance certificate, when applicable
- Dangerous goods declaration, when applicable
- Safety data sheet, for regulated chemicals or hazardous cargo
- Product conformity documents, when applicable
- Phytosanitary certificate, when applicable
- Veterinary certificate, when applicable
- Food safety or agricultural documents, when applicable
- Tobacco documentation, when applicable
- Vehicle documentation, when applicable
- Project cargo permits, when applicable
- Delivery order or cargo release documents
- Customs broker authorization, when using a customs broker
- Inland transport documents, when cargo moves by truck, rail, or another inland mode
Documentation should be complete and consistent before cargo arrival or departure. Incorrect HS codes, incomplete cargo descriptions, missing permits, inaccurate invoices, inconsistent consignee details, missing inspection documents, missing transit data, or late customs data can delay customs clearance and increase costs.
Common Shipping Routes for Thessaloniki Greece
Thessaloniki connects Northern Greece and the Balkans with the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Black Sea, North Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and wider global trade lanes through direct services, feeder services, trucking, rail, and transshipment networks.
| Trade Lane | Common Cargo |
|---|---|
| Mediterranean to Thessaloniki | Chemicals, machinery, consumer goods, vehicles, agricultural cargo, industrial inputs |
| Northern Europe to Thessaloniki | Machinery, chemicals, consumer goods, food products, industrial cargo |
| Black Sea to Thessaloniki | Grain, fertilizers, minerals, industrial cargo, commercial freight |
| North Africa to Thessaloniki | Food products, fertilizers, chemicals, construction materials, commercial freight |
| Middle East to Thessaloniki | Chemicals, plastics, fuels, industrial materials, machinery, general cargo |
| East Asia to Thessaloniki | Electronics, machinery, vehicles, consumer goods, industrial inputs, chemicals |
| North America to Thessaloniki | Machinery, vehicles, chemicals, medical goods, food products, industrial inputs |
| Thessaloniki to Mediterranean | Agricultural products, machinery, industrial goods, commercial freight |
| Thessaloniki to Northern Europe | Agricultural products, industrial products, machinery, chemicals, manufactured goods |
| Thessaloniki to Balkans | Consumer goods, machinery, industrial cargo, food products, transit cargo |
| Thessaloniki to North Africa | Food products, machinery, construction materials, chemicals, consumer goods |
| Thessaloniki to Middle East | Agricultural products, chemicals, machinery, industrial products, general cargo |
| Thessaloniki to Asia | Agricultural products, chemicals, industrial products, machinery, general cargo |
Routing may involve direct ocean services, feeder services, trucking, rail, or transshipment through Piraeus, Istanbul, Izmir, Mersin, Constanta, Varna, Burgas, Durres, Bar, Rijeka, Trieste, Venice, Koper, Malta Freeport, Gioia Tauro, Genoa, Valencia, Algeciras, Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Singapore, Shanghai, Ningbo, and other hubs depending on carrier schedule, cargo type, and final destination.
When Should You Use Thessaloniki Instead of Another Greek Port?
Thessaloniki can be suitable when:
- The cargo origin or destination is in Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Northern Greece, Sofia, Skopje, Niš, Belgrade, Pristina, Bucharest, or wider Balkan inland markets
- The shipment is connected to Northern Greece, Balkan transit logistics, Southeast European distribution, agricultural products, industrial goods, chemicals, steel, marble, tobacco, fruit, cereals, fertilizers, or construction cargo
- The cargo is containerized and suitable for FCL or LCL shipping
- The shipment involves machinery, vehicles, food products, refrigerated cargo, chemicals, dry bulk, liquid bulk, conventional cargo, general cargo, or project cargo
- Inland delivery distance is shorter through Thessaloniki than through Piraeus, Volos, Kavala, Alexandroupolis, or another Greek port
- The shipper needs access to container, reefer, conventional cargo, dry bulk, liquid bulk, free zone, rail, warehousing, trucking, or transit cargo capability
- The shipment benefits from proximity to Thessaloniki’s rail-connected port facilities, Northern Greece’s industrial base, Balkan road corridors, or Southeast European logistics routes
Another Greek or regional port may be more suitable when cargo is closer to Athens, southern Greece, the Aegean islands, western Greece, Turkey, the Adriatic, or a specific carrier rotation through another gateway. Piraeus, Volos, Kavala, Alexandroupolis, Patras, Istanbul, Izmir, Koper, Rijeka, or Trieste may be more practical depending on route, cargo type, transit time, and landed cost.
The right port choice should be based on total landed cost, sailing schedule, inland distance, customs requirements, cargo type, equipment availability, terminal capability, storage needs, reefer requirements, rail access, transit requirements, and required delivery date.
How to Get an Ocean Freight Quote for Thessaloniki Greece
To get a freight quote to or from Thessaloniki, prepare the following details:
- Origin and destination
- Port-to-port, door-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-door requirement
- Cargo weight and dimensions
- Number of pallets, cartons, boxes, vehicles, trailers, or containers
- FCL, LCL, reefer, breakbulk, general cargo, hazardous, dry bulk, liquid bulk, conventional cargo, transit cargo, or project cargo preference
- Commodity description and HS code, if available
- Cargo ready date
- Incoterm
- Customs clearance requirements
- Transit requirements, if cargo moves inland through Greece to another country
- Final pickup or delivery address, if needed
- Inland movement requirement, such as trucking, rail, warehouse delivery, free zone movement, factory pickup, port warehouse movement, refrigerated delivery, distribution center delivery, Balkan inland delivery, or project cargo delivery
- Special handling requirements, such as reefer cargo, hazardous cargo, chemicals, batteries, temperature control, oversized cargo, heavy lifting, customs inspection, veterinary inspection, phytosanitary inspection, product inspection, or high-value cargo
- Preferred carrier, terminal, trucking provider, rail provider, customs broker, bonded warehouse, feeder service, inland hub, or transshipment hub, if already specified
With iContainers, businesses can compare ocean freight options online, review available rates, and manage international shipments through a digital booking process.
FAQ About the Port of Thessaloniki
The Port of Thessaloniki is located in Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece, on the Thermaic Gulf in the northern Aegean Sea.
The UN/LOCODE for the Port of Thessaloniki is GRSKG.
Common cargo includes containers, general cargo, steel, marble, tobacco, fruits, palletized cargo, minerals, ores, coal, cereals, feedstuffs, fertilizers, cement, scrap, machinery, vehicles, refrigerated cargo, breakbulk cargo, and project cargo.
The Port of Thessaloniki is operated by Thessaloniki Port Authority S.A.
Thessaloniki may be suitable when cargo is connected to Northern Greece, the Balkans, or Southeast European inland markets. Piraeus may be more suitable for cargo connected to Athens, southern Greece, island routes, or specific carrier rotations.
Thessaloniki serves Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Northern Greece, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo, Romania, and wider Balkan and Southeast European logistics corridors.