Greek ships were confined to port on Thursday, 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 (PNO) 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 Vassilis 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 Sunday on Skai television channel that 85 Greek seafarers were on board the 10 Greek ships.
The coastguard on Thursday said it could not specify how many sailors were on the other Greek-owned vessels.
