Ships on the busy Patras–Igoumenitsa–Italy route will remain docked as Greek seafarers escalate their industrial action with a new 24-hour walkout that starts Wednesday, deepening a standoff that has repeatedly disrupted one of the country’s vital maritime corridors.
The Panhellenic Union of Merchant Marine Sailors (PENEN) announced the latest strike today following an emergency meeting held outside the port of Patras.
The decision, made unanimously by the union’s leadership, comes in response to what it described as the continued refusal of the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies (SEEN) to address the full scope of the workers’ demands.
The new strike began 6 a.m. Wednesday and is set to end 24 hours later.
According to PENEN, legal provisions for minimum safety staffing will be observed throughout the action.
This latest walkout follows previous 48-hour strikes on the same route earlier in June, when seafarers protested chronic understaffing and unfulfilled commitments regarding working conditions.
The union has consistently cited severe crew shortages on Adriatic ships, leading to exhausting shifts, excessive overtime, and burnout, which they argue compromise safety for both seafarers and passengers.
Among their demands are proper staffing levels, the hiring of Greek seafarers in positions matching their qualifications, and solutions to long-standing issues related to overnight accommodations and express routes.
The strike has effectively paralyzed ferry traffic between western Greece and Italian ports, a crucial connection for both passenger travel and freight transport, especially as the summer season gets underway.
PENEN has not ruled out further action if no progress is made in the ongoing talks.
The labor unrest unfolds against a broader backdrop of heightened union activity and negotiations across the Greek transport sector, as the nation continues to grapple with cost-of-living pressures and contract disputes in key industries.
