The port system of Kavala includes:

The central port which until recently was the main point for maritime transport. The land zone of the port is enclosed by the city and commercial and tourist activities are developed in it. The windward pier is 560 meters long and the leeward one 230 meters. The total number of quays for the passage of ships is 1950 meters and the depths of the port basin range from 4 -10 meters.

After the transfer of commercial traffic in October 2002 to the port of N. Karvali "PHILIPPOS B'", the central port serves:

• On passenger traffic with daily F/B and Y/G (dolphin) itineraries to and from Thassos, while there are regular itineraries to Limnos, Mytilene and Samothrace.
• In tourism. Cruise ships and pleasure boats are approaching the central port of Kavala, and their traffic is showing an increasing trend. With the liberation of the port from commercial traffic and the completion of the planned improvement of the infrastructure, an increase in tourist traffic is expected.
• In fishing fleet, used as a fishing shelter. To the east and at a distance of 42 km. from Kavala is the port of Keramoti, the closest point to Thassos from where the main volume of passengers and goods is transported to and from the island. It also serves private and fishing vessels in the area. As for commercial traffic, it is used for the transport of mainly bulk cargoes of businesses in the area.

The port of Eleftheron is located west of Kavala at a distance of 17 km. from Kavala, it mainly serves fishing, small freight traffic and only during the summer months there are routes to and from Thassos. The development of the city of Kavala made it necessary to build a new port outside the city. General and special studies carried out from 1966 onwards, resulted in the proposal for the construction of a new modern port in Nea Karvali at a distance of 8 km. east of the city. Today, the western quay has been built and is operating, where commercial traffic has been transferred, while the port inside the city will be converted into a tourist, passenger and fishing port, maintaining its traditional character.

Perspectives

The geopolitical location of the new port, combined with the immediate proximity and access to the Egnatia Highway, which ends close to it, constitute the main advantages, so that the new port can become the main transit center for both the wider region and the Balkan countries.

The future connection of the new port to the railway network is necessary for the operation of a combined transport hub. The increase in traffic in the coming years is expected to make it necessary to plan new projects, according to the already approved master plan.

With the completion of the new projects and the supply of mechanical equipment, there will be the possibility of simultaneously servicing 7-8 ships of various categories and handling cargo of all types (bulk, bulk, containers). At the same time, it will be possible to develop business activities related to the storage, unpacking and distribution of goods.

The liberation of the central port from the commercial traffic that has already taken place, in combination with the modernization projects, will contribute to the upgrading of the services provided in coastal shipping and will allow the development of activities for servicing private boats (marina). In combination with the new modern airport that Kavala has, the central port can exceed the level of simple cruise ship transit and become a starting-ending point (home port) for them.

The regeneration of the land area inside the port, which is next to the historic city wall and below the Panagia district (old city), will allow the development of tourist and cultural activities.

The regional ports of Keramoti and Eleftheri will cover additional needs for coastal shipping, the transport of certain goods of businesses in the wider region, as well as the servicing of private fishing and tourist boats. The port of Keramoti will continue to be particularly important for tourism in Thassos, given that the bulk of tourists to the island are transported through it.

The strategic and operational plan of the Port Authority will shape the main axes of business strategy, the operating model and the new organizational structure of the organization, which will serve the objectives and choices of the operational plan. It will also determine the priorities and procedures for the implementation of the objectives, as well as the exploitation of the areas and spaces of the port system.