A 48-hour strike will be called by seafarers working on Adriatic ships on 3 and 4 June, following a decision by the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO). The mobilisation, which is expected to affect the Patras – Italy routes, has as its main demand the proper staffing of ships, to address the systematic overwork of staff and to ensure safety at sea.

The Federation, in a letter sent to the Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy, denounces the shortage of personnel on ships operating these routes, stressing that the situation poses risks not only for the seafarers themselves but also for the safety of passengers and navigation as a whole.

The letter, signed by the General Secretary of PNO, Manolis Tsikalakis, includes clear proposals on the minimum required number of crews per sector of ship operation. More specifically, it is requested:

Manning Proposal:

Deck:

– 1 Lotus

– 2 Submasters

– 12 Sailors

– 2 Naval Engineers

Engine room:

– 4 Engineers

– 1 cleaner

PNO points out that this staffing is considered necessary, not only to combat exhausting overtime, but also to “protect safety and human life at sea”.

In the same letter, the Federation refers to serious issues concerning the Italian-flagged Grimaldi Lines ships operating on the Patras-Italy route. There, according to the PNO, is the phenomenon of Greek seafarers being recruited in substandard specialties, regardless of their certified qualifications. The Federation calls for the immediate restoration of this situation, based on the certificates carried by Greek seafarers.

Shipping: Outstanding issues

PNO reminds that serious issues remain unresolved in the shipping sector, which, as it is underlined, are due to the attitude of the Association of Passenger Shipping Enterprises (SEEN).

– Crews’ overnight stays,

– The abolition of “express” routes, which put excessive pressure on staff.

The Federation warns that if solutions to these key problems are not provided immediately, the mobilisations will continue. As the letter states:

“We demand the restoration of all of the above and inform you that otherwise, PNO will continue its union interventions until a solution to our problems is found.”

The strike comes at a time of increased passenger traffic, ahead of the summer, and is expected to cause disruption to the passenger and commercial parts of the routes. However, the seafarers say they are determined to defend their fundamental labour and social security rights, stressing that understaffed ships cannot continue to operate.