The Corinth Canal is on course to reopen in July, according to an announcement by its management company, Corinth Canal S.A. (A.E.DI.K.).

At the same time, it is anticipated that the company’s new portal and e-commerce services will start operating, inlcuding online announcements (arrival / transit times) and online ticketing.

In the announcement, the company declared that the first phase of restoration works are nearly complete, allowing for the resumption of Canal crossings next month. From the autumn, however, when the passage of ships is limited, the Canal will close again for a few months to allow for the start of second phase of the project.

Earlier this year, A.E.DI.K. acquired a new tugboat, “Vergina,” integrating it into the existing fleet. This boat will be used for towing commercial ships in the Canal, and for assisting with safe mooring in the nearby ports of Corinth, Kiato, Thisvi, Kalamaki and Sousaki.

The restoration works of the Corinth Canal

The ongoing restoration works also include the fencing along the length of the Canal (within 2022) and the construction of a 3.5km pedestrian walkway, undertaken with the support of the Peloponnese Region.

The second phase of the project, which will begin in the winter, aims to complete the shielding of the Canal against landslides by stabilizing the slopes.

The feasibility study for the entire length of the Canal, financed by a large development fund, also examined what additional works may need to be done for the proper maintenance of this important monument.

At the same time, the goal of the fund is to support further targeted development of the area. For this reason, a development plan has been prepared with its appropriate commercial uses.

Overall, the Canal restoration project includes:

Excavations along the length of 1km for the stabilization of the existing slopes.

The cleaning of the Canal from products of collapses and rubble debris from the original construction.

The construction of a pile wall to ensure the protection of the base of the canal slope.

The construction of measures to strengthen the foundation of the southern pier of the bridge of sewage pipelines.

The construction of all surface water treatment and drainage projects.

This article was previously published in Greek at kathimerini.gr.