Greek ship workers strike in support of stranded Gulf crews
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The Greek frigate Keimon sails at sea off Limassol on March 4. The coastguard on March 5 said it could not specify how many sailors were on the other Greek-owned vessels.
PHOTO: AFP
ATHENS – Greek ships were confined to port on March 5, the coastguard confirmed, as workers staged a 24-hour strike in support of crews stranded in the Gulf by the Middle East war
In a statement announcing the 24-hour strike, the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation demanded an “immediate repatriation of all seafarers located in this region”.
The union said the situation was “particularly serious and dangerous” for “hundreds of seafarers, Greek and foreign, who remain stranded” in the Middle East.
“Ships are not leaving port,” a coastguard spokeswoman told AFP.
Greek Merchant Marine Minister Vasilis Kikilias has said 10 ships flying the Greek flag are in the Gulf, while around 325 vessels linked to Greek interests but registered under foreign flags are also in the Middle East.
He said on March 1 on Skai television channel that 85 Greek seafarers were on board the 10 Greek ships.
The coastguard on March 5 said it could not specify how many sailors were on the other Greek-owned vessels. AFP
