The Piraeus Port Authority is in the process of a major update to existing regulations to debut a new berth allocation procedure starting for the 2018 cruise season, according to a spokesperson.

The berth allocation process was trialed for this season and met with a positive reaction.

Total passenger traffic in 2016 was up 12 percent, crossing the seven figure mark, highlighted by five visits from the then-new Carnival Vista, as well as the Ovation of the Seas.

The port was also able to handle short-notice calls from cruise ships that were previously scheduled to call in Turkish ports but cancelled.

Of note, earlier this year, the Celestyal Olympia sailed from Piraeus on an Eastern Mediterranean cruise with 250 Chinese guests aboard. Opening Piraeus to Chinese guests to embark is among high agenda items for the port.