Port of Thessalonik Greek plans to privatise second tier ports in the country are attracting interest from companies in US, China, Israel, Russia, Italy and Germany. State control of the country’s two largest ports, Piraeus and Thessaloniki has already been relinquished and the process is in full swing for the management of at least another half dozen to be handed to private operators. Piraeus is managed by China’s Cosco Shipping and Thessaloniki by Belterra Investments, which is owned by Greek-Russian businessman, Ivan Savvidis. Companies from the US, China, Russia, Israel, Italy and Germany, have already set their sights on ports, from Alexandroupoli in the north to Iraklion in Crete, and from Igoumenitsa, Astakos and Corfu in the west to Volos and Kavala in the east and northeast to Lavrion and Elefsina, both within the reaches of Athens.