Dedeağaç port joins WHO-authorized ports list for ship health certificates
The Port of Dedeağaç (Alexandroupoli) has officially been added to the World Health Organization (WHO) list of authorized ports for issuing Ship Sanitation Control Certificates under the revised International Health Regulations.
The decision was announced by the Regional Unit of Meriç (Evros), which said the inclusion represents an important development for the port as it gradually expands its role and opens new prospects for commercial and economic activity.
Authorization follows year-long preparation
The process began in October 2025, when the Port of Dedeağaç (Alexandroupoli) Authority submitted a request to the Public Health and Social Care Directorate of the Regional Unit of Meriç (Evros).
The directorate subsequently took the necessary steps to meet the relevant requirements and submitted a recommendation to the Ministry of Health.
A key requirement was the specialized training of personnel responsible for conducting the required ship health inspections. In early 2026, staff received specialized training from the Public Health Observatory for Transport and Points of Entry at the University of Thessaly’s Department of Medicine.
The training was designed to provide personnel with the technical expertise needed to carry out the procedures required for ship sanitation inspections.
Following the completion of the necessary preparations, the Public Health and Social Care Directorate submitted the application to the Ministry of Health.
The ministry formally approved the inclusion through Circular No. D1a/G.P.oik.37494/05-08-2026, adding the Port of Dedeağaç (Alexandroupoli) to the list of authorized ports.
Port capabilities and public health services strengthened
Meriç (Evros) Regional Deputy Governor Evangelos Poulilios described the development as particularly significant for the area.
He said the ability to conduct the required health inspections and issue internationally recognized certificates directly at the port would strengthen its operational capabilities and improve the services available to visiting vessels.
Poulilios also highlighted the importance of the development for public health services in the region, noting that the initiative has been accompanied by modernization of services, increased technical expertise and continued staff training.
He stressed that investment in personnel knowledge and operational readiness is essential for effectively protecting public health at the country's points of entry.
Cooperation behind the initiative
The inclusion of the Port of Dedeağaç (Alexandroupoli) in the WHO-authorized list highlights cooperation between the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, the Port of Dedeağaç (Alexandroupoli) Authority, the Ministry of Health and scientific institutions.
The initiative aims to improve port services, strengthen public health protection and support the region’s broader economic and development potential.
