Tag: Greece

To protest new austerity measures imposed by the government under pressure Greek dockworkers will join a 24-hour general strike June 15 to protest fresh austerity measures imposed by the Socialist government under pressure from international creditors.The dockers unions are also threatening to step up industrial action through the summer to protest the planned privatization of publicly owned ports as part of a sale of state assets aimed at reducing Greeces $500 billion debt burden.The government plans to sell its 75 percent stakes in the Piraeus and Thessaloniki port authorities by the end of the year. It will also seek buyers for its stakes of between 43 percent and 66 percent in smaller ports in 2012 and 2013.The Union of Port Workers called the privatizations an incomprehensible and criminal political act.The European Union, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank, which rescued Greece from bankruptcy last year with a $157 billion loan, are pressing Athens to implement pledged reforms, including privatizations, to secure further funding.Dockers staged several strikes in recent weeks against the privatization program, but the government has shown no sign of backing down.The chairman of Port Piraeus George Anomeritis said privatization is an obsolete business model and ...

Raising the wreck would cost more than 150 million Euro The Greek government on May 24, 2011, said it was not in a position to salvage the wreck of the "Sea Diamond" which sank of the coast of Santorini after it hit a rocky outcrop close to the islands shore in April 2007.The wreckage of the ship has remained on the sea bed ever since, much to the annoyance of the islands residents. Responding to a question in Parliament, Marine Affairs Minister Yiannis Diamantidis said that the government could not afford to remove the ships hulk.Raising the wreck would cost more than 150 million Euro, this being an issue that the shipowner and insurance company have to deal with. Louis Cruise Lines, which owned the ship, has firmly rejected any responsibility for the sinking.Source: Vesseltracker

stuck in Greece Ukranian general cargo Socol-3 suffered mechanical failure 3.5nm N off Kea island, Aegean sea, Greece, on April 27 2011. Vessel anchored 1.3 nm off Kea and was prohibited by Maritime Authorities of Kea to sail till survey will be carried out, and also, authorities required Class verification.Vessel was towed to Lavrion port and judging from Greece media pics, docked there. Vessel departs Russia with some general cargo and 85 mt (84.508 kg ) of Class I explosives, bound for Venezuela.Ukranian company bought vessel in 2003, before 2003 vessel belonged to Russian State Agency Rosvooruzheniye (Russian Arms). Crew 23, Ukranians. SOCOL-3 IMO 9004487, dwt 9500, built 1992, flag St Vincent, manager Kaalbye Shipping, Ukraine Odessa.Source: Maritime Bulletin

Cutting carbon emissions from the world fleet A straight fuel oil levy on all ships has been given cautious backing by the Greek Shipping Co-operation Committee as the least harmful option among market based mechanisms for cutting carbon emissions from the world fleet.The London-based committee, which has often played the significant role of a think-tank as well as representing Greek shipping offices in the UK, gave measured support for a fuel levy as "the more suitable mechanism".But this was on the provision that any mechanism should be designed and implemented by the International Maritime Organization and any revenue resulting should be directed by the IMO, and purely for environmental benefit.Source: Safety4Sea

Disaster on sea averted A joint operation by the Coast Guard and Gujarat police helped avert a major maritime disaster by defusing a live grenade lodged in a tanker registered in Greece.According to an official spokesman of the Coast Guard on Monday, the operation in mid-sea was undertaken early on Sunday morning following information that a live Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) was lying in the accommodation structure of the Motor Tanker Aegea. The tanker, which set sail from Antwerp on March 4, was on its way to Sikka port in Jamnagar district of Gujarat. About 400 nautical miles away from Porbandar, the ship was attacked by pirates equipped with small arms and RPGs.One RPG hit the accommodation structure of the ship but did not explode. All the crew members on board were safe.The Coast Guard regional headquarters in Gandhinagar was informed about the unexploded grenade and it immediately formulated an emergency plan to undertake a joint operation with the police and the Navy.Soure: The Hindu

Crew members are well and unharmed The MV EMS RIVER, which was pirated on 27 December 2010, was released from pirate control on 1 March 2011.The Antigua/Barbuda flagged and German owned vessel was on her way to San Nicolas, Greece from Jebel Ali in the UAE at the time of the attack.According to the owner of the vessel, all crew members are well and unharmed.Source: EU NAVFOR

Cooperation in harbor construction, shipping and marine technology China and Greece on Wednesday vowed to enhance cooperation in harbor construction, shipping and marine technology.The pledge was made during a meeting between Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang and Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs, Islands and Fisheries Ioannis Diamantidis.Zhang said the two countries have carried out good cooperation in these areas, which is in their common interest. He hoped the two sides would strengthen exchanges and deepen cooperation in these areas.Diamantidis said Greece attached high importance to its relationship with China. The Greek government and the shipping sector want to maintain close cooperation with the Chinese side, and consolidate their substantial cooperation in harbor construction and marine technology, he said.Source: Xinhua

The ship sailed from Tallinn, Estonia and was heading for Houston, Texas Two Greeksailors were killed and a Cypriot critically injured when huge waves hit them out on deck in the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday, according to the Cyprus Search and Rescue Coordination Centre.At about 3.25pm, the Cyprus centre was informed by the Greek Pireaus Search and Rescue Centre that the Aegean Angel tanker, carrying a cargo of fuel to the US, got caught up in rough seas, resulting in the death of the 47-year-old Greek captain and 33-year-old chief engineer while 34-year-old Cypriot first mate sustained serious injuries to his face and chest.The ship, owned by Greek company Arcadia Shipmanagement, sailed from Tallinn, Estonia and was heading for Houston, Texas at around 800 miles from Bermuda when it sailed into bad weather with winds of beaufort force eight.Reports suggest the ship, which is being diverted to Bermuda, did not suffer any damage.Source: Cyprus Search and Rescue Coordination Centre