Greece
Transport Greece with Seacon Logistics
Seacon Logistics is your logistics service provider and central point of contact for transport to and from Greece. From strategic locations and together with our worldwide network of agents and partners, we quickly, smoothly and cost-effectively take care of your transport. From full loads (FTL), part loads (LTL), pallets, intermodal to special transport.
Greece is one of the oldest countries in Europe and is ideally located for organising transport within Europe, to Asia and the rest of the world. As a logistics chain director, we have therefore built up an extensive network of agents and partners to transport your goods quickly, effectively and affordably based on your individual needs.
With about 11 million inhabitants, Greece is a relatively sparsely populated European country. The country borders Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Turkey and the Aegean and Ionian Seas. The archipelagos of the Cyclades, Ionian Islands and Dodecanese are also part of the Greek territory and thus also offer opportunities for sea freight transport.
The Greek economy has improved significantly in recent years, resulting in an increase in the gross domestic product (GDP). The main economic sector in the country is the service sector, followed by industry and trade. Furthermore, tourism is an important economic factor for Greece. Both for the mainland and the Greek islands.
The Greek logistics market is of great importance for international transport. Thanks to its favourable geographical location, Greece has developed into an important trading hub. The country also serves as a transit country between Europe and Asia. Greek imports mainly consist of machinery, electrical engineering, motor vehicles and petroleum products, while exports mainly consist of textiles, foodstuffs, smoked goods and electronic equipment. Greece has close connections with the EU Member States, but also with the United States, China and the Gulf States.
For Greece transport, it is only logical for you as a company – together with Seacon as your professional partner – to take your logistics to a higher level. On this page, you can read more about our transport solutions for Greece.
Important transport routes Greece and your benefits
In general, the Greek infrastructure is well-developed, providing a wide range of options for goods transport. We would like to tell you more about them below. If you would like us to take care of your transport in Greece, please contact us for tailored advice.
One of the main transport options is Greek road transport, which covers some 100,000 kilometres of roads. The country has a large number of highways that run through the country and connect major cities. The roads are in very good condition. The road network is also well-maintained and expanded.
The Greek rail transport network is also very extensive.It covers more than 3000 kilometres, of which about 1000 kilometres are electrified. The most famous lines are Athens – Thessaloniki and Athens – Patras. In recent decades, major investments have been made to increase the efficiency and capacity of the railway network. Despite these improvements, rail transport in Greece still remains subordinate to road transport.
Sea freight plays an important role in the economic development of the country. Greece is one of the largest shipping nations in the world and has a large number of ports. The largest and main port is the port of Piraeus, located in Athens and the gateway to the Aegean Sea. The second largest port in Greece is Thessaloniki, an important port for container transhipment and freight traffic. Other interesting ports in Greece for logistics are: Kavala, Volos and Patras. Greek shipping companies play an important role in the international shipping market.
In addition, air freight transport is also an essential part of the Greek infrastructure. The country has several international airports, of which Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport is the largest (and the second largest in all of Southeastern Europe). The airport is located approximately 18 kilometres east of Athens. There are also numerous other airports that are interesting for air transport, including Thessaloniki, Heraklion (Crete), and Rhodes.
Important cities for cargo transport in Greece
Greece has several logistics centres that are important for the logistics supply chain in the country. The metropolitan region around Athens stands out in particular. Thanks to its favourable location by the sea and direct connection to Asia, the cities of Athens, Thessaloniki and Piraeus have developed into the largest centres in the country. Due to the versatility of modalities available, intermodal transport is also guaranteed.
Of these, the Greek capital Athens is by far the most important logistics location. The city has more than 3 million inhabitants, is located in the southeast of Greece and is surrounded by a large number of traffic routes. The Athens Attica highway runs north of the capital and connects the city to the rest of the country.
Thessaloniki, also known as Salonika, is the second-largest city in Greece.The city is located in the north of the country and is an important economic centre and transportation hub. In addition to the international airport, the E90 and E75 highways are of particular importance, as they connect the city to the rest of Europe.
Although Piraeus is a separate municipality, the city is often considered part of the metropolitan area of Athens. This is because the port city is located directly to the southwest of Athens. The city has by far the largest port in the country (Port of Piraeus). The city plays an important role as a goods hub for Europe and Asia.
Transport solutions from Seacon Logistics
We offer different types of transport to and from Greece. Whether it concerns general cargo, less-than-truckload or full-truckload shipping, air freight, sea freight or freight transport – we will ensure that your goods arrive at their destination safely and on time. Below you will find our transport solutions to and from Greece:
- Groupage transport to Greece
- Pallet shipment
- Partial loads (LTL / LCL)
- Full loads (FCL / FTL)
- Rail transport
- Deliveries in the city centre
- Delivery with tailboard
- Express delivery to Greece
Groupage Greece - LCL and LTL
The term LTL (Less Than Truck Load) is used in freight transport to indicate that only part of the available cargo space of the truck is filled. In the logistics industry, it is therefore common to combine several partial loads at one loading point or to add a partial load. In short, groupage or LTL is therefore the merging of several smaller loads into one larger load. This optimises the use of the freight container during road freight.
The abbreviation LCL stands for Less than Container Load and in sea freight refers to shipments that do not fill an entire container and are combined with other general cargo in a consolidated container. LCL transport mainly offers price advantages and some benefits in practical handling and stowage. For general cargo, only proportionate transport costs are incurred for the use of the container volume.
Full loads Greece - FCL or FTL
The abbreviation FCL (Full Container Load) is used in sea freight for full container loads. Unlike LCL: a load that only partially fills a container. With FCL loads, the container is loaded by a shipper and unloaded at the destination by a consignee.
With an FTL delivery (Full Truck Load), the shipment fills the entire available cargo space. The truck transports this shipment to its destination without reloading. This is for one recipient. This completely utilises the truck’s transport capacity.
Fast delivery is the main advantage of FTL. This is because there is no need for transhipment or extra route planning to different recipients. The truck drives directly to one destination. It is the most effective method of transporting goods by road to a final destination.
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Special transport Greece
In our wide range of transport services, we also offer special transport to and from Greece. This is the worldwide transport of long, high and heavy goods that do not fit in a container or truck. We believe it is important to comply with all international regulations and guidelines in this type of transport. Especially when transporting dangerous goods, regardless of whether they are transported to or from Greece to abroad. Below you will find an overview of all goods that Seacon Logistics transports:
- Long goods
- Dangerous goods (ADR)
- Boxes (KTN)
- Boxes (BOX)
- Bundles
- Heavy load
- Pallets (PLT)
- Gitter boxes (GIBO)
- Barrels (FSS)
- Other loose goods
Transport options Greece: to and from Asia, America, Europe and Africa
At Seacon Logistics we understand that, in addition to the quality of your products, fast shipping and associated satisfied customers are of great importance. That is why we facilitate the worldwide transport of your goods in all aspects. Goods transport within Europe is usually handled via road freight, but for shipments to and from Asia, North and South-America and Africa, we of course also have sea freight and air freight at your disposal.
From our locations at strategically located terminals, we supply all major consumer markets. By outsourcing your transport to and from Greece to Seacon Logistics, you benefit from the advantage that you do not have to worry about complicated coordination across different continents and time zones. With us, you are guaranteed – partly thanks to the excellent cooperation with our partner network – a fast, efficient and well-organised shipment.
Transit and delivery times for transport to Greece
To satisfy you and meet all your requirements, reliability and speed are paramount at Seacon Logistics. That is why we work closely with a worldwide partner network and can plan, execute and organise your transport efficiently.
It is also possible to send express shipments, we arrange this in collaboration with our network. Fast transport services and our in-house customs clearance ensure that your transport from Greece arrives at your customer faster than usual.
For daily updated information and reliable transport planning, please contact us directly. Our specialists are always ready to help you.
Customs: the correct import and export documents
Our focus is always on the entire logistics chain. To serve you even better, our in-house customs department takes care of the necessary import and export documents and transport certificates. Our Compliance Desk checks whether your goods comply with all guidelines and sanction regulations at the place of destination. This way you will not be faced with unpleasant surprises and you can concentrate on your core business. Thanks to our status as Authorised Economic Operator (previously AEO-certified) and 'preferred supplier', we can minimise delays. An important advantage for you as a customer.
Want to know more about how we unburden you in terms of customs and customs declarations?
Incoterms®: Protect your international trade with Greece
As a global logistics chain director, Seacon Logistics deals a lot with Incoterms®. Although we are not involved in the commercial agreements between buyer and seller, we are often consulted about the dangers and consequences of the various Incoterms® before a transaction is concluded. In practice, many companies still underestimate the risks.
To ensure that contractual formulas in the trade of goods are interpreted equally by buyer and seller, we have created a white paper and an infographic.
Important additional information: Public holidays, driving bans and local details
As a member of the European Union, Greece has become an economically successful country with excellent infrastructure, despite some setbacks. However, despite the simplified regulations within Europe, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Customs regulations: You may need an EU permit or CEMT permit for international transport. Furthermore, bilateral permits between Austria and third countries may be relevant. We are happy to assist you with this.
- Driving bans: Although there is no general driving ban on public holidays or Sundays in Greece, there are certain parts of the country where special regulations apply. From mid-June to mid-September and on Sundays, there are temporary driving bans on the highway section between Athens and Thessaloniki.
- Tolls: Tolls are payable on highways and some other roads to fund the maintenance and development of the road network. These charges are calculated based on the distance travelled and the vehicle class.
- Transport to Cyprus and Israel: Greece maintains close economic relations with neighbouring countries in Europe and the Middle East. You should take into account some specific regulations. For instance, transport to Cyprus requires certain documents, and transport to Israel requires special customs regulations.
If you have more detailed questions about the specifics or rules in Greece, please feel free to contact our team. In a joint logistic analysis, we examine which aspects are relevant for your goods transport.
The strength of Seacon: logistics at its heart since 1985
Since the establishment of Seacon Logistics, we have been building our organisation as a leading logistics chain director. Today, Seacon Logistics has over 700 employees at various strategic locations throughout Europe. Yet the origins of the family business can still be felt in our organisation. And that is precisely where our strength lies. Logistic services from the heart, that's what we are all about!
With a strong we-feeling, we take on logistical challenges and work together to serve you as our customer in the best possible way. With innovative and efficient solutions, we take your logistics to a new level. Transparent communication, personal approach and entrepreneurship are the basis of our customers' trust.
Are you interested in a transport solution to a country other than Greece? Then take a look at one of our many other partner countries:
Would you like to receive a quote or do you have other questions?
Then please do not hesitate to contact us. We know the logistical challenges of our customers and have been optimising their logistics chains for decades. No distance is too far or challenge too great. Are you ready to take your logistics chain to the next level? Then be sure to get in touch with us.