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Strikes to halt operations at Greek ports on Thursday

Another 24-hour strike by transport workers in Greece is expected to halt operations at at many Greek ports and terminals on Thursday.

The strike has been called by the country’s two main labour unions and will leave most public transport services closed from 06:00hrs (local time) on December 3 until 06:00hrs on December 4.

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) has issued an advisory saying berthing, shifting and sailing operations at ports may be delayed during the stoppage period.

The Greek Seamen Union and Piraeus Towage Crew Union are among those striking, making local ferries, tug boats, pilots and stevedores at all ports likely to be affected.

Oil installations at Eleusis–Aspropyrgos and Thessaloniki are also likely to experience delays or stoppages, ISS added.

The protests oppose the austerity measures proposed in Greece’s bailout plan. The Greek government has already reduced pensions, raised the national retirement age and made changes to other labour and insurance laws.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Tuesday said his government would try to avoid further cuts in pensions. Greece is obliged to submit plans to its international creditors this month for tough pension reforms as part of its bailout package, but Tsipras’ proposed reforms have so far failed to secure the backing of opposition parties.

Holly Birkett

Holly is Splash's Online Editor and correspondent for the UK and Mediterranean. She has been a maritime journalist since 2010, and has written for and edited several trade publications. She is currently studying for membership of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. In 2013, Holly won the Seahorse Club's Social Media Journalist of the Year award. She is currently based in London.
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