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The former Greek Minister of
Mercantile Marine, Manolis
Kefalogiannis,
The present web site is an initiative from citizens worried about this
project
which, we think, threatens the area at all the levels of its life:
economical, environmental and cultural.
1 - the current military airport of Timbaki
(which demilitarisation
has been announced in local newspapers, see Chronology
section). Several hundred meters south of this area are the long,
touristic beaches of Kalamaki and Kommos. The latter area is known both
because of its Minoan archaeological site and a later Hellenic-Roman settlement (not open to the
public, since excavations are still going on).2 - the second area is located, according to Nea Kriti, 17. August 2006, one kilometre and a half west of preceding one. This area is at first sandy, then rocky in the direction of Agia Galini. In between is the new beach promenade called "Kataliki", which is mainly frequented by Greek people, and the small harbour of Kokkinos Pirgos. Since May 2006, signs have been placed along the promenade which declare in three languages that this area is protected by NATURA 2000. According NATURA 2000 (GR4310004, GR4310012, GR4310007), the whole area from Agiofarango to Kokkinos Pirgos is protected on account of the nesting beaches for the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) and existence of other protected species.
2 - Economical context of the area Currently, the economy of Messara area is based on four main activities: agriculture and fishing, tourism and services. At the foot of Crete highest mountains, the plain receives water from the winter snows; combined with the warm climate, this phenomenon makes the Messara plain one of the most fertile areas of all Greece. Fruits and vegetables are produced (especially in greenhouses), and are exported to all Greece (especially Athens, by ships, from Heraklion). Tourism is also an important source of revenues, since the area combines many interests: an ideal climate, wonderful beaches and exceptional natural sites (both at the seaside and on the surrounding mountains). Furthermore, the area has got a very rich cultural heritage, dating back to the Minoan civilisation ("the oldest European civilisation"), and also including testimonies from the Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Turkish periods. As far as now, tourism in the Messara area remained family-based and eco-friendly, and many visitors are used to come very regularly, for example every year, sometimes since thirty years. No huge touristical installations have been built: just small restaurants and rent rooms owned by local people. It is important to mention that, during the last years, a decrease in the touristic activities has been stated, creating worries in the population. The third economical activity consists in services (house buildings, schools, health, road transports, middle industries and trades, etc.), and derives from the income provided by the two preceding activities. Many local people thus have two sources of incomes, one related to tourism, and another one related to agriculture or services. As far as the idea of a port is concerned, it is important to say that the idea of a new harbour to be built in south Crete, first called "South Gate" (Πύλη του Νότου) has been circulating for several years in local newspapers. Indeed, as opposite to the north coast of the island, the south part of Crete does not have any important harbour, and remains somehow remote. Especially, in the plain of Messara, which is an important agricultural centre, the idea of a commercial harbour (through which local fruits and vegetables could be exported) had often been raised, expressing the need, for the Messara inhabitants, to promote the development of their region: the wish for this port in south Crete was also driven by the hope that such a realisation would trigger the development of the area, for example regarding the making of a new road linking the Messara to Heraklion (this road has always been a kind of dream, as well as a never-ending story in the area), though other hopes of same kinds (especially the construction of a hospital) had been expressed since years. 3 - Type and size of the foreseen port Since the beginning of the affair, the size of the foreseen port is expected to be very important: "Shanghai-based China Shipping has so far this year carried between 800,000 and 1 million containers toward the Mediterranean." (source: [YEN, 1st November 2005]). These declarations are confirmed a few days later by the letter from Mr Li Kelin to Mr Kefalogiannis, where the Chinese businessman also affirms the interest of his company for a transshipment hub in Timbaki. According to the newspapers [Patris] and [Nea Kriti, August, 17th, 2006] (not available on the web), the port should be able to host 3 ships simultaneously (each of which being around 300-370 m long, and able to carry up to 10 000 containers). According to other sources (www.antiport.de), this number is not very likely to be realistic in terms of actual traffic, three 10 000 container ships a day being a very huge traffic (besides, such figures would lead to much more traffic per annum than the 2 million containers spoken of in the newspapers). The depth of 16 to 17 meters, mandatory for such ships, requires heavy work of digging, unless part of the port is built over the current waters. Moles should be 4 km long (3 km on the wind and 1 km off the wind), and 1.2 km of quays are spoken of. The number of containers dealt with per annum has doubled (2 million). According information from the Greek Ministry of Merchant Marine2, a surface of 850 ha is spoken of (source: [YEN, 8th May 2006]). According information from "antiport", the hosting of 2 million TEU (container) will need about 100 - 120 ha purely area of a port. The information of 50 ships daily hosted by the port (FAZ, 4th September 2006) is also considered as non believable by the same experts. Cost of infrastructure construction (without any equipment): 500 million euros.  "Click to enlarge")
 "Click to enlarge")
These two maps, published on [YEN, 10th November 2006] (click on the maps to enlarge them), raise
many questions:- First, they give very few information: what type of port is it? Is it only a container transshipment station, or does it include a mercantile or passengers port? - What about the real size of the project? The port shown on the graphic has an approximate size of 140 ha without the central basin, and 270 ha with the basin. This has nothing to compare with the 800 ha officially spoken of. If these 800 ha included part of the military airport, why isn't it shown on this map? According specialists from www.antiport.de, the port shown on the second map seems to be designed for ships around 350 m length, with is a smaller size than Asian ones (big container ships are about 420 meters long). This is also confirmed by the number of cranes shown on the map (five or six are needed for big container ships). 4 - A "free zone"? In this article from "Patris" (11th April 2006), the organisation according to which Greece builds the port and rents it to Chinese companies is confirmed. The article also mentions a foreseen "free zone" in the harbour, in which products, arriving in pieces, would be assembled in order to be sold in Europe. On 17th August 2006 there is an article in Nea Kriti giving more precise information about these plans. It is reported about the building of manufacturing plants, units for packaging, dwelling units, etc. According to our information, "free zones" of the kind of what exists outside of Europe are not allowed in the European countries. Nevertheless, since it gives information on how things happen around such kinds of harbours, we give here the example of the Italian town of Prato. This city, a centre of textile industry, now hosts a production centre where Chinese people work for Chinese companies at Chinese wages and Chinese conditions. But the products are labelled ‘Made in Italy’. Beside the low cost of production other advantages consist in the lack of long waiting periods for the products and the lack of import duties. The working conditions are not at all to European standards, even more remind on slavery. Furthermore Chinese communities are completely self-supporting, and do not share public life (shops, restaurants, services, ...). An infrastructure fulfilling the Chinese needs is delivered as well. Source: German magazine "Spiegel" (No 36/4.9.06; "Die gelben Italiener"/"The Yellow Italians"). 5 - Benefits of such ports: who, how? On the basis of the so far published discussions it is obvious that Greece looks for investors as well as for the construction as the management of the port. But rent is given to the one constructing the port. That means if Greece pays the costs for the infrastructure (500 Million Euro), it will get the rent but is also responsible for the maintenance. The operator of the port will profit not only by the transshipment but also by the combined logistics, i.e. the further distribution on sea or land. (information from www.antiport.de). On a visit to Timbaki and Mires on the 26th December 2005, Mr Kefalogiannis pointed out that the Greek government is willing and able to take the costs for 51% of the infrastructure. This probably means a kind of holding company is intended. On the same visit Mr Kefalogiannis talked about 800 new jobs that will be established. Of which kind these jobs might be or why the number of 800 is named is not known. Comparable ports need less workers due to the system installed (half-automatically: about 300, automatically: 79, as in Hamburg Altenwerder). In addition to the dockers a logistical management is needed. But this doesn't need to be in Timbaki, not even in Crete. Global computer networks such as the Internet allow it to be anywhere in the world. Profits would be made by the owners of super jumbos. Because of their size and the amount of freight these jumbos are not able to reach ports in South and Eastern Europe. Therefore it would reduce costs to land in Timbaki, transfer the containers on smaller feeders and leave for their port of call. 6 - The reactions On November, 23rd, a first meeting, gathering inhabitants of the area, took place in Timbaki. The obvious statement is the lack and unofficial nature of the information (most of it comes from local papers, and Timbaki municipality confesses the same ignorance), concerning the project, its nature, size, etc. Anyway, the little official information provided by the Greek Ministry of Merchant Marine website www.yen.gr (but many people here do not have any internet connection), already shows that the project is far from the fishing, passengers and merchant port that residents had been waiting for. Residents, as well as the Ecological Society of Heraklion express their worries regarding the damage such a project might do on local economy (mainly based on agriculture and tourism). A commission is constituted, led by the mayor of Timbaki (Michalis Marakomichelakis), in order to meet the Minister and get information, to be then dispatched to all the population [Patris, 17th December, 2005]. On May, 14th, 2006, in Timbaki, another meeting took place, and the same lack of official information is stated. Besides, the fact that the project seems to progress quickly and concretely, without any consultation of the local population or authorities is a source of increasing worries. The visit of Korean investors in Timbaki, as well as the signature of the memorandum between Greece and Korea about the development of a port in Timbaki (August and September 2006) triggered a series of reactions: - the constitution of a commission of local residents ("Επιτροπή φορέων του Δήμου Τυμπακίου", "Collective Commission from Timbaki Municipality", our translation) - articles in local papers and abroad (especially in Germany) - three letters of the European Nature Heritage Fund (Stiftung Europ�isches Naturerbe, www.euronatur.org) to the Greek Minister of Mercantile Marine, Manolis Kefalogiannis, and other ministries and investors. - press report "Naturidyll auf Kreta bedroht" of the European Nature Heritage Fund - two online petitions (see our Sign against section) - several web sites: www.no-container-port-in-timbaki.netwww.timbakiprotest.netwww.kein-containerhafen-in-timbaki.comThe authors of these various initiatives are inhabitants of the area involved in the local tourism industry and agriculture, but also archaeologists (the area is the heart of the 3800 thousand year old Minoan civilisation), Crete lovers, ecological associations, or simply residents. All of them express their fear of the consequences that such a "development" would have on the residents of the area and on their quality of life, especially through the damages it would do on local economy, the strong competition such businesses rely on, and the environmental cost of such a harbour. These questions, as well as the cruel lack of official information, though the project is undoubtedly on the way, are mentioned in [Ethnos, 9th September, 2006]. 7 - Chronology 23rd June 2005: Mr Kefalogiannis, Greek minister of Merchant Marine, met Mr Li Kelin, Chairman of China Shipping Group and president of CSCL1. During this meeting, the construction of new ports and of a "container forwarding centre" in Crete island, said as being "pushed by Greek government", were first mentioned by the Greek Minister [source: CSCL web site]. 1st November 2005: Mr Li Kelin and his delegation came to Crete and, accompanied by Mr. Kefalogiannis, visited the site of Timbaki. At this time, the nature of the project became clearer, as a transshipment hub (διαμετακομιστικό κέντρο) was explicitly mentioned in the report of this visit (available on the Greek Ministry of Merchant Marine web site, [source: this article from the Greek Ministry of Merchant Marine]). At this time, the process for obtaining an agreement for a 3 billion Euro credit in the European Bank of Investments, for investments in Greek ports (not only Timbaki), has been initialised by the Greek government ([same source]; details on the final agreement in this article from Patris Cretan newspaper). Mid November 2005: the local TV informs for the first time about a planned transshipment hub with a capacity of 1 million containers per annum in the region of Timbaki. 22nd November 2005: the first local newspaper articles about the project is published in the local press "Antilalos" and "Apopsi tou Notou". 23rd November 2005: first meeting gathering inhabitants of the area. See 6 - actions section for details. December 2005: the inhabitants of the area create a Commission ("Επιτροπή φορέων του Δήμου Τυμπακίου", "Collective Commission from Timbaki Municipality", our translation), leaded by the mayor of Timbaki, Michalis Marakomichelakis, in order to get official information, especially from the Minister of Merchant Marine ([source: Patris]). 26th December 2005: Mr Kefalogiannis visits the region an promises "blooming landscapes", and speaks of a "golden chance" for the area. The port would be gigantic and a lot of other investments would follow. Agriculture and tourism would no longer be the only source of income, but the port and its industry (for example Nokia), and the establishment of a freezone (source: "Apopsi tou Notou", 27th December 2005, not online). 20th January 2006, Mr Karamanlis, Greek Prime Minister, makes a visit in China, and meets his Chinese homologue. A general agreement is signed, expressing the intentions of the two countries to collaborate in the economic fields. The development of ports is explicitly mentioned ([source: Patris]). The next days, articles in national papers ([Ethnos, 21st January 2006], [To Vima, online on 22nd January 2006] and [To Vima, 22nd January 2006]) express the fact that Chinese investors, though confirming their strong interest for a transshipment hub in Eastern Mediterranean, are not willing to take in charge the construction of the ports, and are therefore much more interested in Greek ports already existing, especially Piraeus and Thessaloniki). (See also [Kathimerini, 17th March 2006]). At the same time, the agreement for a 3 billion Euro credit in the European Bank of Investment is confirmed, as well as the size of the project ([Patris, 27th January 2006]). January 2006: Question of deputy Giannis Dragasakis to the minister of Transport and the Minister of Mercantile Marine about the plans for the development of a container port in Timbaki. Answer: "There exists a big interest from China and Chinese companies for the development of joint investments with Greece and the construction of a new port on Crete, which will have the size of the port of Piraeus". ([Source: Ecocrete]) In April 2006, residents of the Timbaki area learn from the local press that the process for demilitarising the military airport of Timbaki has been initialised. It appears that the process also includes an administrative aspect aiming at transmitting the corresponding ground from the Ministry of Defence to the hands of the Heraklion Port Authority (ΟΛΗ). 8th May 2006, Mr Kefalogiannis and people from the Heraklion Port Authority are back in Timbaki. But this time, they are accompanied by representatives of Dubai Port World4 ([source: YEN]). 14th May 2006: The Commission (Επιτροπή) organises a public meeting at Rex (a cinema in Timbaki). The lack of official precise information is stated by all. The mayor of Timbaki (Michalis Marakomichelakis) is removed as head of the leading group of contestation, because of falsely stating not to be informed. After that, he declares he will organise a referendum. The participants in the meeting state a "No" to a container port, but the idea of a harbour serving Greek interests is raised again. A few days later, Mr Kefalogiannis finally meets representatives of the local agricultural activity. As they express their worries regarding the strong competition Asian products might operate on local production, the Minister answers that "the liberalisation of the exportation commerce is the subject of international agreements" and does not share the fear of the farmers to see local products being rejected of the market ([source: Patris]). Finally, the Minister declares to be ready to do the port in another place if "they don’t want it". 1st June 2006: Greek Deputy Mrs Schinaraki (PASOK, Greek socialist political party) asks Mr. Kefalogiannis to give details about his plans for the development of container ports in Greece. She focuses on the difference between the foreseen transshipment hub and the merchant port that local people have been asking for. She also points out the lack of official information, at local level as well as for the politicians. Mr Kefalogiannis answers that some information has already been given, especially to the municipalities of Timbaki and Mires. Further information will be given when concrete results from studies will be available. The Minister also presents the Timbaki airport as an opportunity to export local production, and foresees the development of a city of the level of Rethymnon in current Timbaki. Mr Kefalogiannis explains, that therefore there is a big interest among foreign investors (‘big players’). Sources: [Report from the Greek Parliament session], [Crete Gazette, October 2006]. 26th July 2006: Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis meets the President of COSCO Group. Officially, this meeting mainly appears as a diplomatic event (christening of a COSCO ship with a Greek name...). 1st August 2006: Green light for the demilitarisation of the Timbaki airport ([source: Patris]). 16th August 2006: Mr Kefalogiannis is back again in Timbaki, with... Korean investors and government representatives. As opposite to Chinese investors, Korean ones are also interested in building the port. Sources: [Patris, 17th August 2006] and [Nea Kriti, 17th August 2006]. 
1st September 2006: Mr Kefalogiannis signs with the Korean
Minister of Marine Affairs and Fishing Sung-Jin Kim
(www.momaf.go.kr)
a memorandum, which basically
consists in an agreement between the two countries as for exchanging
information, knowledge and studies results concerning the development,
management and exploitation of the port installations of Timbaki.4th September 2006: The German newspaper �FAZ� reports about the project ("Naturschutz im Kriechgang", FAZ, 4th September 2006). 6th September 2006: The Commission meets again and aims at increasing its pressure for getting official information. Source: Apopsi tou Notou, 12th September 2006. The creation of a legal structure (not-profit organisation) is foreseen. During this meeting, the letter sent by the mayor of Timbaki to the Ministry of Merchant Marine a few days ago, and asking for official information, is presented to the Commission. The same day: In the Greek Parliament, Greek deputy Manolis Stratakis asks Mr Kefalogiannis about the plans of the government concerning Timbaki port, and if information will be given to the local people as well as to Parliament. ([PASOK web site] and [Patris, 7th September, 2006]) Answer: There will be information, when the plans become more concrete (Apopsi tou Notou 3. Oktober 2006). 11th September 2006: Mr Kefalogiannis meets Chinese Minister of Communication. No new information is released ([source: YEN]), though, according to Lloydslist, "It is thought that an effective green light was signalled to China’s communications minister Li Shenglin”. The official position of the Greek Minister of Merchant Marine is that no solution has been rejected by now, and that a 3 thirds agreement (Korean construction, management by DPW and shipping by a Chinese company) is not excluded. The same day, EU deputy Stavros Arnaoutakis (PASOK) of Heraklion addresses a [written question (P-3975/06)] to the EU Commission. 18th September 2006: The ambassador of Korea was in Timbaki. Here again, no official information is to be noticed. The "unofficial" position of the Minister (expressed in declarations of the Heraklion Port Authority) has been, during the last days, a kind of "if locals don't want it, we'll do it somewhere else. But it is not a solution, and they will loose a great occasion" (sources: Patris following articles: [source 1], [source 2], [source 3]). The Heraklion Port Authority also recalls (in the same article) the old dreams of the south Cretans (a good road to Heraklion, a hospital…) as arguments in favour of the development of a transshipment hub in Timbaki – though absolutely no official information ever let us hope that this harbour could bring such developments in the area. The same day, the Heraklion Port Authority (OΛH) and other authorities of Heraklion inform the municipals of Timbaki. It is obvious that plans are made for a closed-up container port, as "There are no investors for another port.". One should start to build new, big hotels, because now tourists from China and Korea would come to the region. Sources: Apopsi tou Notou 19.09.06, Apopsi tou Notou 19.09.06. 19th September 2006: it is stated that Korean investors said they wanted to "see by themselves" if the investment in Timbaki was sustainable, and if they wished to continue the project ("Antilalos" and "Apopsi tou Notou" local papers, 19th September, not online). 5th October 2006: Mr Kefalogiannis is invited in the offices of the European Union representation in Athens by Mrs Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Competition. One of the subjects of the meeting was the agreements made between Greece and future investors for the completion of Greek ports development, especially regarding legal harmonisation of these agreements with the rules of the European Union, as these projects "constitute the main see gate of Asia in Europe" [YEN, 5th October 2006]. According the newspaper "Griechenland Zeitung" (8th November 2006), "the plans made with foreign investors (regarding the free economy plans of the ports of Thessaloniki and Piraeus) were crossed by Mrs Neelie Kroes. As to be seen from newspaper articles, she explained to the government that, due to the EU laws, such a project needs to be appealed in public to all investors of interest. Now it is not clear whether this appeal will take place in the following year". For Timbaki, the same European rules most probably imply that a public call, to which all interested investors can answer, is done. 13th October 2006: On behalf of the European Commission, Mrs Danuta Hübner, Regional Policy Commissioner, answers to EU Deputy Stavros Arnaoutakis' [written question P-3975/06]. This answer states that the Commission has not been officially informed about the plans for a container terminal at the port of Timbaki, and that the financing of the project within the "Trans-European Network for Transport (TEN-T)" is not foreseen. In spite of the lack of precise information regarding the location of the foreseen port, the Commissioner points out the fact that the mouth of the Geropotamos river is classified as a Special Protection Area under the Birds Directive (GR4310012). The other zones (GR4310007 and GR4310004) are also mentioned. It is said that, due to the existence of these protected areas, the Greek authorities should carry out studies of the potential effects of such a project on local environment. These studies are required by European Directives. Besides, to get a co-financing from the EU, additional documents, still in relation with the impacts of the project on environment, would have to be produced by Greece. ([See source]) 15th October 2006: Municipal elections in Greece. In Timbaki, Michalis Marakomichelakis is not re-elected. The new mayor of the town is Antonis Charalambakis. In the program of his electoral campaign (p. 4, not online), Charalambakis mentions "the construction of a mercantile-passengers port, the Southern Sea-gate, according to the regional land-planning. A port of a such a type, that it will positively contribute to the development roadmap of the area, bringing benefits to the Municipality and to the citizens, and not to foreign interests. As it has been noted, such a port is currently accepted by both citizens and local communities." Charalambakis adds that such issues "can only be considered in collaboration with the other municipalities of the Messara area, but also with the neighbouring municipalities from the Rethymnon prefecture (Kouroutes and Lambis)." (our traductions). 20th October 2006: Question of the deputy Manolis Stratakis ([see source]) to the Minister of Mercantile Marine about the plans of the port. The same day: The newspaper "Imerisia" publishes: "Break from the EU for the port of Timbaki. "Yellow card" from the Commissioner Danuta Hübner (Regional Policy Commissioner) for the plans of the Greek Minister of Mercantile Marine to build a port in Timbaki" ([see article]). 26th October 2006:The German EU deputy (die Grünen) Michael Cramer makes the written question E-4553/06 (Container port near the town of Tymbaki in southern Crete) to the European Commission. 
4th November 2006: A meeting, gathering Mr Kefalogiannis and the former and new mayors of
the Messara municipalities, as well as officials of the Heraklion
prefecture, takes place in Heraklion. All the information presented
below come from [Antilalos, 7th November 2006, not online],
[Patris,
6th November]
and [Nea Kriti, 6th November 2006]. Mr Kefalogiannis
insisted during all the meeting that "if the local community
does not want the port, we won’t do it!". He also informed that:- the location of the foreseen port has moved towards the west, and is now located between Kokkinos Pirgos and Agia Galini (see [Location and geographical elements section] for details). Note: this change of location also has administrative impact, since part of the port would now be located on Rethymnon prefecture. - feasibility studies have been done by the “Greek side”, though these studies do not include study of impact on environment and local economy. - the choice of Timbaki site is also based on the existence of the existing airport, which will not be demilitarised (as had been written in papers a few months ago), but could be used, as promises the minister, “to export your agricultural products towards the entire world”. The airport should work as a "free zone with lower taxation". Note: the connection between the civil, mercantile use of the airport and the project of the port has not been clarified (why does it need a container transshipment hub to set a civil use in the existing airport?). - the port might include a passenger harbour, but no marina [Antilalos, 7th November 2006]. This information needs to be checked because, in [Patris, 6th November], Mrs Schinaraki states “serious doubts about the opportunity of a project not including a touristic or passenger port”. In the same article, it is reported that Mr Kefalogiannis said that a passenger port was not possible, since there was no interest in passenger shipping lines towards Africa. - in no case would Chinese or Korean people work in the port. - he asks for a quick and clear expression of the opinion of local people. “The needed political decisions should be taken around next Christmas”, he declared [Nea Kriti, 6th November 2006]. Note: the idea of a referendum, to be performed before the end of the year, raises many questions: regarding the law, it is not clear if a referendum is applicable in the present situation [Patris, 6th November]. Besides, should it be local, or for all the island? As a reaction, prefect Schinaraki said: "The Greek Minister didn’t actually say anything new. What he has is just thoughts. There is no study of utility, nor any particular statement; just intentions. How could we say yes to such a project." In addition, Mrs. Schinaraki expressed her concerns for the project, regarding the fact that it won’t include any touristic and passenger port. 10th November 2006: (Sources: [YEN, 10th November 2006], [Antilalos, 14th November 2006] and [Nea Kriti, 11th November 2006]) Mr Kefalogiannis receives prefect and mayors from Rethymnon prefecture (which had protested a few days before, because of being "forgotten" by the minister for the previous meeting of 4th November...). They do not disagree with the project, provided that it respects the environment and the touristic development of the area. The fact that local people should take the final decision about the project is pointed out. Nevertheless, estimation of costs and benefits, as well as studies of impact on environment and tourism should be done and published before local people are asked to decide. It is clearly mentioned that the project would include a passengers and mercantile port, though this does not appear on the maps officially published by the YEN. Besides, this is in contradiction with Mr Kefalogiannis declarations one week before, when he said, about touristic or mercantile port: "Such things are not possible, there is no interest in lines towards Africa. We tried it with Egypt and it did not work. And what touristical development can you make in an area which is entirely classified NATURA?" [Patris, 6th November] (our translation). 14th November 2006: The local newspaper "Apopsi tou Notou" publishes the text of www.timbakiprotest.net. 16th November 2006: According [Nea Kriti, 16th November 2006], a study, funded by the YEN, and evaluating environmental, economical and social impacts of the port will be made by the Technical University Heraklion. It should be completed very quickly, for 20th December. In the same source, it is said that the publication of the study should be followed by a referendum, which could involve, not only the local municipalities, but all the prefecture of Heraklion. In case of a positive result of the referendum, the process should follow the same model that for Thessaloniki and Piraeus ports, ie. with an international call for tender (cf. our report of 5th October 2006). The same day: In a meeting gathering Heraklion prefect and other local responsibles for environmental questions, it is decided that a series of questions, that should be answered by the study, will be defined for next week. These questions will then be transmitted to the YEN, to deputies, to representatives of the Crete region and to the prefects of Heraklion and Rethymnon. 17th November 2006: In [Nea Kriti], the information about the university that will make the study is "corrected": it should be carried out by the National Technical University of Athens ("National Metsovio Politechnio" in Greek), [www.ntua.gr]), not by the Technical University Heraklion, as it had been said before. 21st November 2006: The local newspaper [Apopsi tou Notou] announces the visit in Heraklion of professors from the National Technical University of Athens for "next week". The same day: A public meeting is organised in Agia Galini by the mayor of Lambi (municipality to which Agia Galini belongs), in order to get suggestions from local people for the questions to be answered by the study. People attending the meeting are strongly opposed to the project [Apopsi tou Notou 28th November]. 28th November 2006: Mr. Moutzouri, director of the National Technical University of Athens, already declares: "I have the impression that even a big port, such as what is foreseen, can be built and studied so that it has little influence on the natural environment, on the fauna and flora. There are ways do to it, it just needs careful study and construction." [source: Apopsi tou Notou]. 1st December 2006: [source: Apopsi tou Notou, 5th December 2006] A meeting, gathering the Commission, representatives of local associations (farmers, fishermen, cultural associations, etc.) and people from Agia Galini, takes place in Timbaki. The creation of a new group, "Movement of citizens for the protection of the environment and of the Messara" is announced. In opposite to the Commission, which mainly aimed at getting official information about the project, this group will be more oriented towards concrete actions in relation with the port, but not only. It should also include people from Agia Galini. The study (currently in progress at the National Technical University of Athens) is first discussed. Doubts are emitted regarding its independence and objectivity, since the study is funded by the ministry of Merchant Marine, and appears as a command of this Ministry. The questions of the Heraklion prefecture, to which the study is supposed to answer, are also criticised for being very general and not making things clear regarding the type of the port: a passenger and commercial port is mentioned, as the official declarations from the YEN only clearly speak of a transshipment hub. The questions of Agia Galini are more precise, and focus on the destruction of all touristic activities in the area. It focuses on the 700 jobs promised by the YEN with the port - a number far smaller than what current touristic activity provides. The farmers of the area express their doubts regarding the possibility of exporting local products via containers and, more generally, about the benefits such a project would bring to the area. The air pollution brought by such a port is also focused on, especially in relation with the new investments of local agriculture in biological products. The representative of the local fishermen also express strong worries. They consider that their activity will not survive, especially due to the huge space taken by the port within the sea, and the consequences that the construction would have of the sea depth in all the zone where fishing is legally allowed. The Commission focuses on the permanent changes of official declarations regarding the size, role and type of the port. It is also pointed out at that, regarding the huge natural potential of the area (climate, beaches, natural beauty, fertile soils, rich sea, etc.), the Messara is an ideal place for promoting sustainable development including tourism and agriculture. This kind of actions would bring a quality of life and a real development with no comparison with what the transshipment centre might offer. The idea of asking the government for a study of feasibility of agriculture-, fishing- and tourism-based sustainable development in the Messara is raised. The director of the Museum of Cretan Ethnology recalls all the cultural and ecological richnesses of the area, which makes it the worst place for setting an industrial zone. As a conclusion, he insists on the fact that the Messara has got great potential, and already provides employment for much more people that the port will ever do - and these current jobs, for most of them, would disappear with the construction of the port. 9th December 2006: After the 5th annual meeting of Ecocrete (the cretan network of environmental groups), the organisation publishes a resolution (in Greek) exposing its arguments against the port. 11th December 2006:The answer from Mrs Hübner to the [Written question E-4553/06] made by the German EU deputy Michael Cramer to the European Commission, is published. 12th December 2006: The Informative memorandum about the Messara plain and its surrounding area, in relation with the project of harbour installations, from the research centre of the Museum of Cretan Ethnology, is published in the local paper Antilalos.
12th January 2007: Dimitris Tsaboulas, assistant professor at the National Technical University of Athens, comes to visit the municipality of Timbaki, for a "first estimation of data". He also visits the area foreseen for the construction of the port. [Apopsi tou Notou, 16th January 2007] 16th January 2007: The local press [Apopsi tou Notou, 16th January 2007] announces that a team of professors from the National Technical University of Athens will visit Timbaki on January, 22nd. The visitors include Mr Moutzouris, According [Patris, 19th January 2007], they will first meet in Heraklion at 9:30. They will then come to Kokkinos Pirgos, in order to "discuss with the municipality and the citizens this important subject", according Mrs Schinaraki. The same source informs that the YEN is also performing its own study. Three studies are thus on the way: from the Korean investors, from the National Technical University of Athens and from the YEN. 
19th January 2007: (sources: [Patris, 19th January 2007] and [Patris, 20th January 2007]) Two economists and two engineers
from the Korean Institute for maritime and nautic research are in Greece. They meet Mr Kefalogiannis, and then come
to Timbaki, accompanied by people from the Heraklion Port Authority (OLH). The aim of this visit, for the Korean people, is to get information
in order to perform their own study for the project. The Heraklion Port Authority declares: "We will give them all
the elements they want, the Greek plan, the technical elements. All they ask for is at their disposal." During their
visit, the Korean specialists ask many questions to the people from the OLH. They visit the area of the foreseen port,
but also the military airport of Timbaki.The Korean team also meets Mrs Schinaraki, prefect of Heraklion prefecture. Mrs Schinaraki is asking for information about why exactly the Korean team comes, and what are their intentions. She recalls that the prefecture of Heraklion has a role to play in the affair: it must be informed, and involved in the discussions. She declares that "we transmitted to the Korean investors our point of view and our position: we want a development respecting the environment and the citizens." She also declares being "reserved regarding the creation of a harbour for a "closed club" in the south, which would have no connections with the area and the inhabitants, since it will not really contribute to the development of the area". 22 January 2007: (sources: [Patris, 23rd January 2007], [Patris, 23rd January 2007], [Patris, 23rd January 2007], [Patris, 23rd January 2007], [Patris, 23rd January 2007]; we were also present at the meeting). Within the scope of the visit of the professors from the National Technical University of Athens, a public meeting takes place in Timbaki. The meeting gathers the five members of the NTUA team, Mrs Schinaraki, the mayors of the concerned municipalities (Timbaki, Mires, Gortina, Kouroutes, Lambi), as well as representatives from the OLH (Heraklion Port Authority). The public consists in simple citizens of the area, mainly against the project (including people from Ecocrete, the commission and other local associations). Flyers against the port are distributed, and a banner against the project, brought by people from Agia Galini, is set at the entrance of the room. 
The five professors present the aim of
their visit: get concrete information about the area and listen to the
questions of local people. They also recall the aim of the study: to
determine the impact on the area of Timbaki of a container port. Then,
they describe their specialities, insist on their independence, and
visibly aim at obtaining the confidence of their auditors. The study
will be ready within 30 to 40 days. Besides, they explain that the
study will not present one "solution", but many solutions with, for
each one, the corresponding advantages and disadvantages. (So we can be afraid
that this last point will allow maintaining the current confusion in local opinion
regarding the type of the port).
Indeed, Mr Antonakakis, from the Heraklion Port Authority, confirms that the type of the foreseen port is a purely container transshipment centre. He also complains about the initiatives made on the internet against the project, as well as about people giving flyers to the Korean experts that "happened to be there" three days ago in Kokkinos Pirgos. Each mayor is then invited to express himself. Mr Charalambakis, mayor of Timbaki, declares "We all want development - a development which will serve the benefits of the inhabitants, and that will bring transformations that make their daily life better". Mr Charalambakis recalls that the subject of a port on the south coast of Crete had been discussed for a long time, under the name of the "South Entrance", but that this idea consisted in a touristic and merchant port, not a container transshipment hub. Mr. Tatarakis, mayor of Lambi (Agia Galini district) first recalls that two thirds of the project are on his municipality. "We are not opposed to development and we do not aim at being opposed to any investment, but [we want] our questions to be answered, so that we finally understand who makes benefits from this project.", he declares. He then expresses his fears regarding the future of the small touristic businesses of the area, the local agriculture (regarding the import of cheap, foreign products) and fishing. Finally, Mr. Tatarakis officially announces that the decision to oppose to the project has already been taken by the municipality of Lambi. This last declaration is welcomed by a strong support from the people present in the room. Apparently, the five professors from the NTUA also visited Agia Galini, and might have declared that such a project is not what should be done in such an area (info from discussion forums on the net). 27th February 2007: Mr Kefalogiannis meets Mrs Schinaraki. We learn that the study of the NTUA is now expected for mid-March, as well as the korean study. The Korean Minister of Marine Affairs and Fishing sent a letter to Mr Kefalogiannis, where he urges him to get the project progress quickly. The letter also mentions that the korean logistics company is interested in participating in (or taking in charge?) the development of the information system of the container transshipment centre. We have no information on the reactions or questions of Mrs Schinaraki during this meeting. Sources: [Patris, 1st March 2007] and [Antilalos, 6th March 2007].
17th March 2007: In the national paper [imerisia, 17 March 2007], an article dealing with the possible investments of Dubai Port Word in Greek ports explains that DPW, through one of its main representatives, "focuses its attention on the commercial port of Thessaloniki, thinking that it is nearer from the heart of the Balkans and the market of the Black Sea". It is not explicit if this "nearer" means "compared to Timbaki and Athens", but anyway Timbaki is not evoked at all in the article. The same day, an article in [Patris, 17th March 2007] informs that the YEN, in its desperate search for foreign investors, has established contacts with officials from Qatar, and that "the creation of a transshipment center, "air cargo" and free zone in Timbaki" could attract fundings from this country. Nevertheless, the rest of the article clearly says that the people from Qatar showed more interest in touristic investments, especially in the Ionian Sea. These two articles suggest that the answer from DPW on the subject of Timbaki was rather negative.
 1 - China Shipping Container Lines, affiliated to China Shipping Group, involved in container liner services (services to customers in storage, transshipment). 2 - The Greek Ministry of Merchant Marine is often called "YEN", from the initials of its Greek name (Υπουργείο Εμπορικής Ναυτιλίας), in this site as well as in the Greek press. 3 - As far as we know, the authors, nature and content of these studies have not been published. 4 - Dubai Port World is one of the biggest management port companies. It operates more than 100 ports all over the world, and also invests in energy, high technologies and banks. 5 - The national Land Planning is an official document acting as a law and defined by the parliament. It is supposed to define, for the next 10 - 20 years, what kind of development, investments and economical activities will be promoted for each part of the Greek land. The minister responsible for the Land Planning is the YPEXODE.
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The town of Timbaki is located on the south coast of Crete island, in
South East Mediterranean Sea. The island is thus situated on
the
roads of the container ships bringing, to all the Mediterranean zone
and Europe, goods produced in China. Currently, these ships, after
passing the Suez canal, continue their trip towards Western and Eastern
Europe. They already ship south of Crete, and they can be seen on the
horizon.
According
