Ships will remain moored at the port of Rafina until 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, due to a 24-hour strike being held by three seafarers’ unions, citing serious safety issues and inadequate port infrastructure.
The seafarers argue that the port has exceeded its safe operating capacity, as it has only five berths, while it is required to serve up to eleven ships daily.
As they point out, several ships remain at anchor until a berth becomes available, a situation that, according to the unions, poses risks.
The Piraeus Single-Judge Court of First Instance ruled yesterday, Thursday, that the strike was illegal, granting the request for injunctive relief filed by the Association of High-Speed and Cruise Ship Owners (SETAK). Despite the court ruling, the seafarers’ unions announced that the strike will go ahead as planned.
Members of the Panhellenic Union of Merchant Marine Seamen (PENEN), the Panhellenic Union of Merchant Marine Engineers (PEMEN), and the Panhellenic Union of Junior Engine Crew Members E.N. “Stevenson,” with the participation of the Lavrio Labor Center.
In the morning, a strike rally was held outside the “Super Ferry” passenger-car ferry, followed by a march of the protesters to the Rafina Port Authority.
SEAJETS Routes from Lavrio
Meanwhile, at the port of Lavrio, SEAJETS is operating its scheduled services to and from Rafina for today, Friday, July 3, due to the 24-hour strike. The company announced that services to Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Paros, and Naxos will be operated on an exceptional basis from Lavrio in order to minimize disruptions to passenger travel and ferry connections to the islands.
Specifically, the “TERA JET 2” will depart at 09:50 from Lavrio for Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, and Paros, returning to the same port, while the “CHAMPION JET 3” will set sail at 11:00 for Andros, Tinos, and Mykonos. Meanwhile, the “SUPERRUNNER JET” will arrive and depart at 14:20 from Lavrio instead of Rafina, in accordance with its approved schedule.
Passengers have already been notified by the company of these changes; for more information, they can contact customer service or their local travel agencies.
Meanwhile, Fast Ferries announced the cancellation of routes to and from Rafina to Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Paros, and Naxos, while Golden Star Ferries also announced similar cancellations due to the crews’ participation in the strike.
SOURCE: APE-MPE