So Politics on Alonissos why don't we have a port at Spartines - we would love your comments

On Sunday, the liner did not dock at the port of Alonissos due to the winds, and a few months ago, everyone was alarmed by the sight of the broken cable, which fortunately did not lead to a disaster. "We do not have a port in Alonissos," stated Mr. Petros Vafinis, the former Mayor of the island and current head of the majority minority, in an interview with Radio ENA and Dimitris Kareklidis. He noted, however, that funding for the construction of the new port has been secured from 2023!

"Currently, Alonissos lacks a proper port. There is only an external dock where coastal shipping vessels can moor, but it offers no security," stated Mr. Vafinis. He added that with southern, southeastern, or northeastern winds, ships face difficulties approaching even at just 4 Beaufort. "We're not talking about 8 Beauforts that affect all ships. We're discussing 4 Beauforts. Ships continue to travel to neighboring island ports but cannot approach Alonissos," the former Mayor highlighted.

What is happening with the port at Spartines

Although Alonissos is currently dealing with significant port issues, there was a possibility for a different outcome, and in the future, the island might have a new, modern, and secure port. "As a municipal authority, we completed all necessary studies for building a new, secure port at Spartines. We reached out to the Ministry of Shipping and submitted the complete study, which resulted in the Prime Minister announcing funding for the project. To be fair, the funding invitation was issued in October 2023, after the municipal elections. This specific invitation targeted certain islands, including ours, inviting us to submit studies for funding. The total funding amount was 100 million euros," Mr. Vafinis explained. However, his municipal authority's term ended on December 31, and after the elections, this proposal was not submitted. According to him, the next municipal authority should have submitted the proposal. "Unfortunately, the current municipal authority does not support this view and proposal, completely disagreeing with the construction of the new port at Spartines," he noted, emphasizing that the funding remains available.

The problems will persist Mr. Vafinis recalled that 12-15 years ago, cables were severed, causing a ship to hit rocks and lose a propeller, thankfully without injuries. "These incidents will continue. In August, the meltemi winds often exceed 5-6 Beaufort, posing challenges for docking. We will face these issues again; we are not done. Without a new port, such incidents will recur, and we will blame bad timing or luck. We must prevent this; it's not just about accidents but also about the area's development and residents' lives," emphasized Mr. Vafinis. He noted that in winter, there are 3-4 days when ships move but don't approach Alonissos, leaving the island without a vessel.

Contact with the Region As time passes without progress on the new port, Mr. Vafinis stated that he reached out to the Region of Thessaly, submitting a Technical Report that details the reasons for the port's necessity and urged Regional Governor Mr. Kouretas to take action, as the municipal authority shows no interest. "We must overcome the municipal authority's reluctance if we truly want a safe port and development for the island. Our only connection is by sea, making the port the gateway," said Mr. Vafinis, also recalling the island's unsuccessful attempt to build an airport in the 1980s. "Unfortunately, circumstances prevented the airport's construction, even though it began in the 1980s when most small islands were building airports. There was zoning, a study was conducted, and earthworks started. The project failed, while other islands completed airports with 800-meter runways. Alonissos didn't progress, which was a significant setback. If we don't secure funding for the port, it will be a great cost to our island. A major opportunity will be lost, and for the next 30-40 years, we'll remain unchanged, blaming bad luck," he emphasized. He noted that port projects are complex in both study and construction, mentioning that 13 other studies were conducted over 5-6 years to finalize the port study at Spartines. "I am also available to the Region, with data and all studies accessible at the Municipality. Since the municipal authority doesn't support the proposal, the project is stalled; as a minority, we can only highlight the issue," concluded Mr. Vafinis. Radio interview by Dimitra Palaiodimopoulou