- While Coast Guard officers are battling in the Aegean Sea, the Ministry of Civil Protection is ordering buses for the Hellenic Coast Guard from Ankara.
- This article explores how the Turkish company Otokar ended up with the Greek representative of the Sfakianakis Group, via Ergotrak, and what the 2024 Report reveals about the Turkish buses.
- The Koç Group is the most “systemic” business conglomerate in Turkey under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
- There was a meeting between magnate Rahmi Koç and Mitsotakis in the Greek Parliament.
By Vasilis Galoupis
On March 28, 2025, the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection signed a “Supply Agreement” to purchase “patrol and citizen evacuation vehicles,” specifically “30–33-seat personnel transport buses.”
According to the official document, the other contracting party, aside from the Ministry of Civil Protection, is the company Ergotrak.
Specifically: “The public limited commercial company operating under the trade name ‘ERGOTRAK,’ headquartered at 5-7 Sidirokastrou Street, Athens (Tax ID: 094394592, Tax Office: KIFODE Attikis), lawfully represented by Ms. Angeliki Pappa, daughter of Konstantinos.”
According to the official document, the contractor submitted a performance bond, issued by an insurance company, in the amount of €22,258. The two parties agreed to the following:
- The purpose of the contract is to procure vehicles to reinforce the transport fleet of operational agencies, specifically for the Hellenic Coast Guard’s needs.
- The supply involves two 30–33-seat personnel transport buses.
- The contract is funded through the Public Investment Program via a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to the Greek government.
- According to section 6.2.1 of the Call for Tender, the buses must be delivered within 12 months of the contract signing date.
- According to section 1.3 of the Call for Tender, the contract takes effect on the signing date and ends when: (a) the entire agreed-upon quantity of items has been delivered; (b) the delivered goods have been fully and definitively accepted in terms of quantity and quality; or (c) full payment of the contractual amount has been made, after applying any required penalties or discounts, and (d) all other contractual obligations have been fulfilled by both parties, and the performance bond has been released in accordance with the contract terms.
The Agreement and the Cost
The agreement makes it clear that while the Ministry of Civil Protection is placing the order for the two personnel transport buses, the actual purpose of the purchase is “to strengthen the transport fleet of operational agencies, specifically for the needs of the Hellenic Coast Guard.”
The funding for this purchase will come via a loan to the Greek government from the European Investment Bank (EIB).
The agreement also specifies the total cost for the two buses, which amounts to €373,984:
“Article 5: Payment – Terms of Payment 5.1. The total contractual amount, meaning the full price including all withholdings and VAT (hereinafter ‘Contractual Price’), is (in words) three hundred seventy-three thousand nine hundred eighty-four euros (in numbers: €373,984.00), broken down according to the Contractor’s Offer as follows: Unit price excluding VAT: (in words) one hundred fifty thousand eight hundred euros (in numbers: €150,800.00). Total supply price excluding VAT: (in words) three hundred one thousand six hundred euros (in numbers: €301,600.00). 24% VAT: (in words) seventy-two thousand three hundred eighty-four euros (in numbers: €72,384.00).”
The supply agreement for the two Turkish buses purchased by the Hellenic Coast Guard to meet the needs of the Hellenic Coastline Security, signed on March 28, 2025, and the total expenditure involved.
The Turkish automotive manufacturer and the contractor
Up to this point, nothing appears unusual compared to other typical vehicle procurement agreements involving the Hellenic Coast Guard. However, questions arise when one delves deeper into the origin of the buses.
In the decision signed by Minister of Civil Protection Giannis Kefalogiannis, the company ERGOTRAK is designated as the contractor.
According to official records from Greece’s General Commercial Registry (GEMI), a company with the same name and tax ID was established on April 29, 1993. Its registered address is on Sidirokastrou Street in Athens.
According to GEMI, the company has €3.3 million in share capital, and its stated purpose includes: “On its own behalf or on behalf of third parties, the representation, distribution, transit, export, import, industrial production, and trade of: a) automobiles, trucks, buses, motorcycles, and other vehicles; tractors; road construction, earthmoving, excavation, lifting, agricultural, and mechanical machinery; gantry cranes; cargo handling systems; marine engines; power generators; cutting tools; and heavy-duty vehicles for transporting minerals, ores, and quarry products, as well as any related machinery, vehicles, spare parts, and components; b) mineral oils, lubricants, and rubber tires; and c) minerals, ores, and agricultural products, whether in bulk, processed, or packaged.
The Management Report of the Board of Directors of ERGOTRAK, dated October 2024, states that Otokar is the company that ERGOTRAK represents in Greece for the import of buses.
Otokar and Temsa
On October 24, 2024, Ergotrak submitted its detailed financial statements to Greece’s General Commercial Registry (GEMI), with auditing conducted by Grant Thornton.
In the “Board of Directors’ Management Report to the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders for the 2023 fiscal year,” it states that Otokar is the company represented by Ergotrak in Greece for the import of buses.
Ladies and gentlemen shareholders, the company’s board of directors presents and submits for your review the financial statements for the 2023 fiscal year. 1. Market Position: The company represents, imports, distributes, and provides after-sales support for vehicles and machinery from the following manufacturers: Cummins (land and marine diesel engines, as well as generator sets); DAF and Ford (heavy-duty trucks and tractors); Otokar (buses); Linde (material handling and lifting equipment); and Hitachi (mining machinery). These products are sold in the Greek market and the Balkans via the company’s subsidiary, Ergotrak Bulgaria Ltd.
Since Otokar is the only company mentioned in relation to buses, there is no doubt that the vehicles in question are produced by this Turkish automaker—a fact confirmed by sources familiar with the contract.
As the report explains: “In 2023, Ergotrak entered a new partnership with Otokar for the import of buses. The company aimed to pursue sales primarily in the small and mid-size bus segments, as well as the urban transit category.”
Compared to statements from the previous year (dated August 2, 2023), Ergotrak’s bus division has undergone a notable change: instead of Otokar, the company listed TEMSA as its partner. Nonetheless, both Otokar and Temsa are Turkish automotive manufacturers.
The May 2025 Announcement by Ergotrak, of the Sfakianakis Group
The Announcement of the Ergotrak–Otokar Agreement in September 2023.
The Greek Representative
As officially announced on the Ergotrak website in September 2023, Otokar, one of the best-known bus manufacturers in Europe, is strengthening its presence in the Greek market. Otokar transports millions of passengers worldwide with tens of thousands of buses. ERGOTRAK announced its partnership with Otokar and, for the first time in Greece, showcased the 6.6-meter electric bus e-CENTRO C at the 2023 Transport Show.
Another press release from May 2025 stated that ERGOTRAK is “a member of the Sfakianakis Group.”
According to the September 2023 announcement regarding the Otokar deal, “Otokar, drawing on its many years of experience in the commercial vehicle sector, its engineering capabilities, and its expertise in alternative fuel vehicles, offers an ideal range of vehicles designed to meet the future needs and expectations of Greek drivers and passengers.”
Over the past decade, 7% of Otokar’s revenue has been invested in research and development. Otokar buses, ranging from 6 to 21 meters in length, transport passengers in nearly 60 countries worldwide, primarily across Europe.”
Tensions in the Aegean
According to the announcement, the purpose of this partnership is to meet “the transportation needs of its clients in the urban, intercity, and tourism sectors.”
However, the Hellenic Coast Guard doesn’t exactly fall under the “urban,” “intercity,” or – least of all – the “tourism sector.” Clashes in the Aegean Sea between the Greek Coast Guard and Turkish vessels, whether military, fishing, or smuggling, occur daily due to ongoing Turkish violations. Greek uniformed officers routinely put their lives at risk, a fact underscored by frequent video footage of tense encounters widely circulated in the press and official statements.
Who Is Turkey’s Otokar?
Interesting information about Otokar can be found on its official website, specifically on the Greek branch’s page:
“Otokar was the first company to manufacture a bus in Turkey. It began by producing vehicles under license from Magirus Deutz. Later, Otokar established its own Research & Development department in order to design buses under its own brand.”
- Since its founding in 1963, Otokar has undergone many transformations.
- 1963: Otokar is established.
- 1974: Otokar began producing small buses for public transportation. The company is acquired by the Koç Group.
- 1980s: Otokar starts manufacturing 4×4 vehicles under license from Land Rover alongside its public transport buses.
- 1990: A new R&D department is established and a new factory opens in Sakarya.
- 2000: Otokar begins production of the 7-meter Navigo bus and acquires Istanbul A.S., a trailer manufacturing company.
- 2007: The 9-meter Vectio bus is launched.
- 2008: Production begins for additional Vectio models.
- 2009: Production begins on the Centro mini city bus. The company expands its production facilities to 552,000 m². The Vectio T receives the Grand Prize at Busworld Europe Week in Kortrijk.
- In 2010: The Kent C 12-meter city bus series and Territo U intercity buses are introduced.
- In 2011: Otokar Europe SAS is created in Roissy-en-France (department 95) with the aim of promoting the Otokar brand to European customers.
- In 2012: Production begins on the Doruk (Vectio) Electra, the first electric bus ever manufactured in Turkey.
From the official website of Otokar, a member of the Koç Group
The Koç Group in Greece
Otokar is a subsidiary of Koç Holding, which is headquartered in Istanbul. According to public reports, it is Turkey’s largest company and, as of 2024, the only Turkish company listed on the Fortune Global 500. Founded in 1926, the holding company is responsible for 8–9% of Turkey’s total exports. The company is controlled by the Koç family, one of the wealthiest in Turkey.
In recent years, the family’s involvement in Greek business has grown increasingly prominent. In March 2012, according to reports, the influential family made a notable move into the Greek maritime sector through its subsidiary, Setur Servis Turistik, by entering into a joint venture with Folli Follie, which was still unblemished at the time. The public tender for the Mytilene Marina was conducted by the Hellenic Public Properties Company (ETAD), now known as the Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participations (HCAP).
The Mytilene Marina was leased for a 40-year concession with an annual rent of just €250,000.
At the time, Folli Follie CEO Giorgos Koutsolioutsos stated enthusiastically that “there is a future in this sector.” Koç remains one of the largest industrial and commercial conglomerates in Turkey.
Ties between the Mitsotakis and Koç families
In June 2018, the Greek newspaper To Vima revealed that Turkish tycoon Rahmi Koç visited Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the then-leader of the opposition, at his office in the Hellenic Parliament.
“Koç was well-acquainted with the father of the New Democracy leader, Konstantinos Mitsotakis, and wanted to discuss his investment plans with Kyriakos Mitsotakis, as he was reportedly in the process of acquiring a company active in the car rental sector,” the article stated.
A few months earlier, in November 2017, the Koç Group of Turkey announced its acquisition of an 80% stake in Olympic Commercial and Tourist Enterprises S.A., also known as Avis Hellas. The American firm Avis Budget Group holds the remaining 20% of shares.
Erdoğan’s Presence
In January 2016, Turkey’s entire political and economic leadership attended the funeral of Mustafa Koç, chairman of the country’s largest industrial conglomerate.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu were among those who paid their respects to the prominent businessman at a mosque in Istanbul. Numerous representatives of Turkey’s business elite were also present.
From 2003 onward, Koç led one of Turkey’s most powerful and expansive corporate groups, which was originally founded by his grandfather, Vehbi Koç. The Koç Holding family conglomerate and its approximately 100 subsidiaries account for 9% of Turkey’s total exports and 8% of its GDP. The group operates in sectors including banking, automotive, oil refining, and other industries.
The Turkish buses for the Hellenic Coast Guard
The two Coast Guard buses
The Otokar buses to be supplied to the Hellenic Coast Guard are of the Navigo T type, Euro 6 category, as confirmed by all our sources.
According to the official promotional brochures, more than 30,000 vehicles of this type have been sold. The brochures highlight the buses’ “low maintenance cost” and “proven reliability.”
The Weight of the Signature
The Koc Group is the most “systemic” business giant in Turkey under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. For a Greek minister to approve the purchase of Turkish buses from the Koç Group for the Hellenic Coast Guard, which faces daily challenges in the Aegean Sea at great risk to its personnel, seems an unusual decision at best.
Signing such a deal, especially when it involves borrowed funds, cannot be an easy choice for any political figure, given its direct connection to the country’s national interests.
