Seafarers’ unions are escalating their protests at the port of Rafina; following the Panhellenic Union of Merchant Marine Seafarers (PENEN), following their participation in the 24-hour strike on Friday, July 3, the Panhellenic Union of Merchant Marine Engineers (PEMEN) and the Panhellenic Union of Junior Engine Crew Members “O Stefenson” have also announced their participation.
The strike on passenger-ferry vessels serving the port of Rafina will begin at 6:01 a.m. on Friday and end at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, while a strike rally is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. outside the “SUPER FERRY” ferry.
The seafarers’ unions argue that the situation at the port of Rafina has exceeded all safety limits, pointing out that the existing port infrastructure is unable to handle the current number of scheduled ships.
As they report, the port has only five berths, while up to eleven ships are served daily—a situation which, in their view, poses serious risks to seafarers, passengers, and local residents.
Particular mention is made of the practice of ships remaining outside the port in areas of the sea that, according to the unions, are not designated anchorages, thereby increasing risks to the safety of navigation. At the same time, they argue that this situation leads to grueling work schedules, violations of prescribed rest periods, and crew exhaustion.
The unions hold the Ministry of Shipping and the relevant authorities responsible, citing a lack of effective planning and inadequate infrastructure, while emphasizing that congestion at the port also strains the region’s road network, with fuel tankers passing through urban areas and, as they note, creating additional risks for the local community.
At the same time, they point out that the situation is becoming even more critical in light of the upcoming wildfire season, as, they argue, there are no adequate and safe escape routes in case of an emergency.
In their statement, PEMEN and STEFENSON refer to intense competition between the ferry companies FAST FERRIES, GOLDEN STAR FERRIES, and SEAJETS to increase their market share in the Rafina ferry market, emphasizing that seafarers “will not pay the price for the shipowners’ competition.”
The two unions also criticize the majority of the PNO leadership, arguing that it has not taken a position on the issues that have arisen at the port of Rafina.
Among their key demands are an increase in staffing levels to ensure that crews’ rest periods are observed, the creation of a safe anchorage with a ship rotation system under the responsibility of the competent authorities, as well as the upgrading of port infrastructure, including the immediate deployment of an auxiliary tugboat at the port of Rafina.
SOURCE: APE