Winds of up to force 9 on the Beaufort scale (with gusts exceeding 90 kilometers per hour in some cases) kept most passenger ferries and other coastal shipping docked in the main Athens-area ports of Piraeus, Lavrio and Rafina

A new presidential order will mandate ramps, accessible cabins, and visual/auditory aids to improve travel for people with disabilities.

The message from travelers seems clear: closer is better, particularly when transportation costs are a deciding factor.

The sailing ban, issued over the weekend, left many travelers stranded, with holiday plans disrupted and accommodation bookings on Greek islands affected.

With the agreement in place, normal ferry operations from Patras and Igoumenitsa will resume immediately, easing the backlog of passengers and cargo that had built up during the strike

The strike began at 6:00 a.m. today and is scheduled to end at the same time tomorrow, Tuesday, June 24.

Sources within the Ministry of Shipping indicated that in Patras, Greek-flagged passenger and vehicle ferries are currently not operating due to the strike, affecting four vessels.

The strike has left hundreds of passengers and scores of lorries waiting for the maritime routes to reopen.

Demonstrations have been planned in all major Greek cities for May Day 2025; seafarers and pensioners join broader labor movement.

Schools and public transport in Greece may also be affected due to union participation in the 24-hour general strike.

Piraeus Port handles approximately 20 million passengers a year making it one of the busiest ports in Europe.

The ferry, called the Agia Theodora, was travelling between Corfu and Igoumenitsa when it ran aground in shallow waters.

PNO industrial action on Thursday and Friday is expected to cancel most ferry boat routes in Greece

The Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO) is demanding wage increases and better working conditions, pointing to rising company profits that aren't shared with workers. This follows a similar strike by 45,000 U.S. dockworkers.

Last year, the Daleela Cyprus - Greece ferry service transported over 7,400 passengers and more than 2,400 vehicles from May to September.

Two passengers injured while disembarking from vessel at the island's port

According to reports, one passenger's remark to others about noise led to a brawl in the vessel's lounge area

Ferry fares in Greece are among the costliest in Europe, increasing by as much as 60% compared to ticket prices in 2019.

The actual May Day strike holiday was switched by the Greek government to next Tuesday, two days after Orthodox Easter Sunday

The restriction is for ferries heading to the Cyclades and is at least for this morning due to winds ranging from 8-10 beaufort in the Aegean