Ferries and ships will remain docked at Greek ports on Thursday after the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation(PNO) decided a 24-hour strike demanding the evacuation and rescue of Greek seafarers stuck in the Middle East.
The Executive Committee of the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation announced on Tuesday, a 24-hour nationwide strike for all categories of ships on Thursday, March 5, 2026, in response to developments in the Middle East, calling for the evacuation of Greek seafarers.
The strike is to begin at 00:01 on Thursday, March 5, and end at 24:00, covering all types of vessels across the country.
The leadership of the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation described the situation caused by the war in the Middle East as “ particularly serious and dangerous,” noting that hundreds of Greek and foreign seafarers remain stranded in the wider region.
Τhey demand:
• the immediate release of all Sailors who are in the above area.
• the area to be declared “prohibited” for approaching ships.
• the Maritime Ministry to take care of the students who are on the ships in question and cannot return to continue their schooling.
“No ship will leave Greece for the Middle East region,” the PNO said in its statement.
On Monday, Maritime & Insular Policy Minister Vasilis Kikilias said that 10 Greek-flagged vessels with 85 Greek seafarers are in the Persian Gulf, five are outside, while a total of around 325 vessels linked to Greece but flying foreign flags are in the wider area.
+++ If you plan to travel by sea on March 5-6, check with local authorities, travel agents and shipping companies for possible modifications of schedules.
