China’s new Silk Road endgame looks like Greece’s Port of Piraeus

A Greek port that has served the city of Athens since ancient times is China’s poster child for the success of its 21st century Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

The BRI, also known as the New Silk Road, involves more than a trillion dollars worth of Chinese infrastructure investments across Asia, Africa, and Europe — with at least $64 billion more to come.

Nearly three years after acquiring a 51% stake in the Port of Piraeus, China can now confidently point to Greece’s largest port as a case study that demonstrates its full capability of turning a sinking ship around.

During the first year of Chinese operating the port, the throughput grew by 10.9%. according to a report by Lloyd’s List. And of the top 100 ports in the world, Piraeus was ranked 93rd in 2010. In 2018, it was 37th.