Greek ship workers strike to support of stranded Gulf crews

The Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation demanded immediate repatriation of all Greek seafarers there. Read more at straitstimes.com.

ATHENS – Greek ships were confined to port on March 5, the coastguard confirmed, as workers staged a 24-hour strike in support of crews stranded in the Gulf by the Middle East war.

In a statement announcing the 24-hour strike, the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation demanded an “immediate repatriation of all seafarers located in this region”.

The union said the situation was “particularly serious and dangerous” for “hundreds of seafarers, Greek and foreign, who remain stranded” in the Middle East.

“Ships are not leaving port,” a coastguard spokeswoman told AFP.

Greek Merchant Marine Minister Vassilis Kikilias has said 10 ships flying the Greek flag are in the Gulf, while around 325 vessels linked to Greek interests but registered under foreign flags are also in the Middle East.

He said on March 1 on Skai television channel that 85 Greek seafarers were on board the 10 Greek ships.