Rafina port ferry services halted as illegal strike by seafarers proceeds

Three Greek seafarers' unions – PENEN, PEMEN and STEFENSON – announced a 24‑hour strike at the Rafina port for Friday 3 July. The single‑judge First Instance Court in Piraeus ruled the strike illegal and accepted a request for protective measures from the Association of Fast‑Ferry and Cruise Ship Owners. The unions rejected the ruling, stating the protest will go ahead to demand improved safety at a port that has only five berths for up to eleven vessels.

Fast Ferries and Golden Star Ferries cancelled all scheduled routes to and from Rafina, including the FAST FERRIES ANDROS line to Andros, Tinos and Mykonos and the AIKATERINI P line to Paros, Naxos, Mykonos and Tinos. SEAJETS re‑routed its Friday services to depart from the nearby Lavrio port instead, operating TERA JET 2 at 09:50, CHAMPION JET 3 at 11:00 and SUPERRUNNER JET at 14:20 for the Cyclades islands.

Union leaders warned that the port’s infrastructure creates unsafe conditions for crew and passengers, while the Transport Minister emphasized that increased competition must not compromise safety. A new legal appeal by the owners’ association is scheduled for the afternoon.