Sailors working on ferries on the Patras-Igoumenitsa-Italy schedule will go on a 48-hour strike on Tuesday and Wednesday, their union Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO) decided on Monday. 

The federation said the strike focuses on the long-term and currently dangerous issue of understaffing on ships sailing in the Adriatic. This has led to exhausting shifts, excessive overtime, and professional fatigue, threatening safety for shipping and human beings.

In a statement, PNO said that the decision to strike was made on May 19, after promises provided by the state and employers after the October 2024 strike were not fulfilled.

In addition, the seamen's federation calls for a higher percentage of Greek sailors on the Grimaldi Lines ships running between Patras and Italy.