Rafina port faces 24‑hour strike on July 3 over safety and overcrowding

The Panhellenic Union of Commercial Marine Officers (PENEN) warned of a three‑hour work stoppage at the Rafina ferry terminal on 26 June, citing unsafe anchorage conditions. The union announced a 24‑hour strike for Friday 3 July, to run from 06:00 to 06:00 the next day, with a protest assembly at 10:00 outside the ferry “SUPER FERRY”.

PENEN says the port can safely berth only about five vessels, yet eleven passenger‑car ferries are scheduled, forcing several ships to remain anchored in open water or to execute continuous maneuvering. The union says this creates serious risks for crews and vessels and forces mariners into overtime, fatigue and prolonged separation from families. It has sent a legal notice to the government, the Ministry of Shipping and the involved ferry operators, demanding that companies fully compensate crews for overtime caused by the anchorage regime. For the first time, captains of the line addressed the crowd, describing the daily difficulties of docking and anchoring.

Local Rafina‑Pikermi councillors and the “SAVE RAFINA” civic network have expressed support for the workers’ safety demands and oppose plans to expand the harbour, which they say would worsen traffic and noise problems.