On Wednesday, ships remained docked across Greece as a nationwide 24-hour strike by seafarers disrupted maritime traffic in ports. The strike, initiated by the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) at 12:01 a.m., aims to address the plight of numerous sailors, both Greek and foreign, who are currently stranded in the Middle East due to ongoing conflict in the region.
The federation has labeled the situation as “serious and dangerous” for those seafarers still in the affected areas. Union officials have raised concerns that a shipping company, in collaboration with the government, was planning to send a vessel into the conflict zone, which they deem unacceptable given the substantial security risks involved.
Seafarers are demanding the immediate evacuation of all sailors trapped in the region and are advocating for the area to be officially designated as off-limits to ships. Additionally, the union has called on authorities to provide assistance to maritime academy students aboard these vessels who are unable to return to Greece and continue their studies.
The federation previously warned the involved shipping company during a meeting that no ships would depart from Greece for the Middle East while the conflict persists.
Share it now
