Ferry Strike Ties Up Ships at Greece’s Biggest Ports
by Bill Giannopoulos · Greek City TimesATHENS, October 2026 — A 24-hour ferry strike keeps ships tied up at seven major Greek ports on Friday 30 October, as seafarers demand protection in war zones and higher pay.
Three seafarers’ unions called the ferry strike. As a result, sailings from Piraeus, Rafina, Lavrio, Patras, Igoumenitsa, Elefsina and the Rio–Antirrio crossing face serious disruption, the unions said.
The Panhellenic Marine Engineers’ Union (PEMEN) and the Panhellenic Seamen’s Union (PENEN) back the action. Similarly, the engine crew union “O Stefenson” has joined.
What seafarers want
Above all, the unions want crews kept safe in conflict zones. Specifically, PEMEN and Stefenson want dangerous sea areas recognised as war zones and 12% rises in collective agreements.
Read more: Ban on Departures from Piraeus and Lavrio Due to Strong Aegean Winds
They also want larger crews on board, stronger health and safety measures and a doctor on every ship. In addition, they seek a seven-hour day, a five-day week and a 35-hour week.
PENEN said escalating wars in key sea lanes put seafarers at greater risk. It counted 28 attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf during the first 21 days of October.
The union also cited 570 confirmed attacks in the Black Sea, with 40 seafarers killed and hundreds injured. However, no one has independently verified these figures.
In addition, rising prices have already eaten up pay rises under current agreements, PENEN said.
Port staff will join in too. The Federation of Permanent Port Employees of Greece (OMYLE) will stop work from 10am to 1pm. Its board backed the move unanimously on 23 October.
Beyond pay, OMYLE opposes the military use of port facilities and wants collective agreements at every port. In particular, it wants faster talks at the Piraeus Port Authority (OLP), where the last company deal expired on 31 July 2026.
Ferry strike joins global port protest
On the same day as the ferry strike, the Piraeus Labour Centre has called a 24-hour general strike across Piraeus. It marks an international day of action by dock and port workers.
Unions at more than 100 ports in dozens of countries on four continents are taking part, the centre said. They include Marseille, Genoa, Bilbao and Istanbul, as well as ports in India, Morocco, Mexico and Cyprus.
Their main demand is simple. In short, ports must not carry weapons, military equipment or troops to war zones, they said.
Strikers will rally at 10am in Municipal Theatre Square in Piraeus. Before that, PENEN members will gather at 9.15am at Agia Triada, opposite the seamen’s pension fund building.
Greek seafarers held a nationwide 24-hour walkout in March, and the ferry strike follows a wave of strikes by teachers and doctors on 21 October.
After the ferry strike, the Piraeus Labour Centre plans to keep up the pressure with a nationwide general strike on 25 November.
Source: Kathimerini
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