Up until now, 34 ships have been attacked in the Red Sea, among them 6 of Greek interests, 5 under foreign flags, and one flying the Greek flag.

Two out of the six ships have suffered serious damage and have been deemed unfit for sailing.

“This fact signifies the danger, should shipowners continue to send their crews into harm’s way, resulting in casualties. The danger of the region is self-evident, and no one is entitled to either dispute or downgrade it,” the letter states.

“Most importantly, for ships under flags of convenience, as well as for all ships belonging to opportunistic registries, the ITF has signed a relevant agreement ensuring repatriation (at the companies’ expense) for those seafarers who do not wish to follow the ships into the mapped dangerous zone.

“Various national seafarer union organizations have done the same. Conversely, crews of Greek-flagged ships have had no such protection up to now,” they add.

“PENEN has repeatedly demanded the immediate signing of a similar agreement between PENEN and the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS), and its ratification by the Minister of Shipping.

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“As PENEN, we have publicly demanded that both UGS and the government cease the dangerous routes of Greek and Greek-owned ships for as long as the maritime area is in a state of war.

“We consider equally dangerous the decision of the government to involve itself in the military confrontation in the Middle East by sending the war frigate ‘Hydra.’

“The country’s involvement and participation in the plans of the USA-EU-NATO regarding shipping interests expose Greek and Greek-owned ships to even greater risks, as they can become targets of reprisals at any moment.”

PENEN lists the names of the ships:

• – “ZOGRAFIA” of the shipping company “Vulcanus Technical Maritime Enterprises”
• – “STAR NASIA” of the shipping company “Star Bulk Carriers”
• – “STAR IRIS” of the shipping company “Star Bulk Carriers”
• – “SEA CHAMPION” of the shipping company “Mega Shipping”
• – “LYCAVITOS” of the shipping company “Helikon Shipping Enterprise”
• “- IKARIA ISLAND” of the shipping company “Trian Maritime”