Summary
This paper aims at determining the optimum viable solution of an investment on a
suburban coastal shipping system in the area of Athens. More specifically it refers to
the development of a sea transport system, alternative to the existing road one, that
would connect Piraeus with the southern suburban coastal area of Athens. The best
viable solution of such an undertaking is considered to be the one, which under the
existing constraints maximises the total profit that derives from this investment. The
variables used for the formation of the constraints are the number of vessels used, the
routing and the price of the services. The article after presenting the methodology of
the market analysis, focuses on the financing alternatives of the project and their
impact on its economic efficiency and concludes with the best viable scenarios and
optimum solution.
1. Introduction
The paper's main objective is to determine the optimum solution of an investment
undertaking that includes an alternative transportation system, that is a suburban
ship
Locator Map of Attica Periphery, Greece
Moschato station of Athens Metro system.coastal transport system in the south region of Athens. Such a system is believed that
can offer a possible solution to the transport problems of congestion, which
characterise the existing overloaded road network of Athens.
Suburban coastal shipping has a special character. First there are not many examples
of cities that use an analogous transport system. Secondly, the main competitor of sea
transport is road transport or fixed track systems (train, tram). It should be mentioned
that the current transportation system despite its deficiencies in terms of time, cost as
well as externalities remains a strong travel alternative and consequently a constraint
for the development of the proposed seaborne transport. This is due to the several
advantages it offers to its users like door to door services, flexibility and speed.