10 decommissioned ships were chartered and departed from the Gulf of Elefsina

Favorable conditions for better fares are evident in the field of the shipping market and many ships that were decommissioned due to the pandemic and the economic crisis are departing from the Gulf of Elefsina, which is offered for safe mooring.

A particularly significant decrease in the number of decommissioned ships is recorded by the Elefsina Port Authority (OLE) SA, during the years 2021-2022. A total of 10 ships were decommissioned, which remained moored in designated sea zones of O.L.E. SA for a long time waiting for a fare.

These are two tankers, four tugboats, three vehicle transport ships and an offshore drilling unit, which were chartered and have already left the area.

The closed bay of Elefsina, due to its geographical location, is one of the largest and safest areas for hosting ships in the world until the freight market recovers.

However, the presence of the decommissioned ships has provoked reactions from some of the local community, even though they are not abandoned ships, as they meet the legally required seaworthiness requirements and fully comply with the applicable environmental protection provisions.

As noted by the CEO of O.L.E. SA, Apostolos Kamarinakis, “the Organization makes every effort so that the decommissioned ships that are currently docked in Elefsina are in a state of warm lay up, ie ready to depart at any time as soon as they find a favorable fare. On the contrary, the old ships that have been abandoned in the area where two scrap yards operated and are now closed are a problem, as a result of which these forgotten ships become dangerous and harmful over time, “stigmatizing” the Gulf of Elefsina for decades.