Greek Ports Brace for a New Strike

Port of Thessaloniki Vessel movements at many Greek ports and terminals are expected to be affected by the announced 24-hour general strike in Greece on 3 December, Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) informed. The public and private sector strike action is scheduled to start at 06:00 local time on 3 December and end at 06:00 on 4 December. During the stoppage period, berthing, shifting and sailing operations may be delayed, with local ferries, tug boats, pilots and stevedores at all ports likely to be affected, as well as oil installations at Eleusis–Aspropyrgos and Thessaloniki, ISS added. The announcement follows a pretty turbulent month for the Greek ports as they were hit by several strikes in November, including the most recent one held on November 12, as announced by General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE). The strikes are seen as a response to the government’s planned changes to labour and insurance rights, pensions and retirement ages, as well as the privatization of the country’s main ports, namely the Port of Thessaloniki and Piraeus Port.