On August 8, despite a sailing ban due to gale-force winds of 8-9 Beaufort, ferry companies sought ways to bypass restrictions, exploiting legal loopholes with the tolerance of the Ministry of Shipping and port authorities. This resulted in dangerous conditions for passengers and crews, delays, ship damage, and the inability to dock at certain ports. The complaint, made by the Merchant Marine Workers’ Unions, calls on seafarers and island residents to demand a safe, modern, and affordable ferry network, with the state fully accountable for protecting human life at sea.
The press release follows:
PRESS RELEASE – COMPLAINT
Yesterday, August 8th, until 13:00, a sailing ban was in effect from the ports of Piraeus, Rafina, and Lavrio – with the exception of the Saronic Gulf routes – and a new update from the ministry was expected. At the same time, gale-force winds of 8–9 Beaufort were prevailing across the Cyclades.
Within this context, ferry companies were looking for ways to bypass the restrictions, assessing the weather conditions at each destination port separately, trying to find a way to carry out their scheduled routes.
Taking advantage of the absurdity of legislation “tailor-made” to serve shipowners’ interests, which states that in extreme weather conditions the responsibility for carrying out voyages lies with the ship’s captain – without, of course, ensuring adequate port facilities that would guarantee safe docking and departure – they tried in every way to circumvent the sailing ban. They thus proceeded to alter itineraries so as to allow vessels to depart, prioritizing ferry company profits over the safety of passengers and seafarers.
In this dangerous practice, they had the support of the Ministry of Shipping and port authorities, which did not issue a new sailing ban despite the adverse weather conditions.
The risk to human life at sea is the result of policies pursued by all governments to date, the Ministry of Shipping, and the port authorities.
The outcome was:
- Dangerous navigation conditions posing serious risks to passengers and crews.
- Significant delays, resulting in violations of prescribed working and rest hours for seafarers, especially on certain high-speed vessels.
- Engine room strain and vessel damage, such as to the ramp of the TERA JET 2, undermining safe operation.
- Inability to approach ports, as occurred with the TERA JET 2 failing to dock at Iraklia, highlighting serious infrastructure problems at many island ports.
- Long queues of exhausted passengers at Piraeus port, kept waiting for hours by ferry companies seeking to pressure for voyage execution.
These practices once again prove that ferry companies, with the full tolerance and cover of the Ministry of Shipping, do not prioritize the safety of life on their ships, but their profits — regardless of the consequences.
They are not concerned about “saving people’s holidays,” as they hypocritically claim, but about not losing a single euro from their earnings, even if that means playing with the lives of passengers and seafarers.
We call on seafarers and island residents to fight for a modern ferry network, with affordable and safe ferry services, proper crew complements meeting current vessel needs, and seafarers with fully protected rights.
We demand from the Ministry of Shipping and the competent port authorities the full assumption of their responsibilities for the safe transportation of passengers and seafarers in ferry services.
Piraeus, August 9, 2025
P.E.M.E.N.
P.E.K.E.M.N.E.N. – “O STEFENSON”
