Several ferry companies resumed sailings from Piraeus late on Friday, with more departures expected into the night, following a suspension earlier in the day that stranded hundreds of passengers at Athens’ main ports of Piraeus, Lavrio, and Rafina, Kathimerini reported.
Routes from Rafina to Andros are scheduled to run normally after 1 a.m., while morning services from Lavrio are expected to depart on time. The ban was triggered by gale-force northerly winds sweeping across the Aegean and eastern mainland, which are forecast to temporarily ease after midnight before strengthening again through Sunday.
According to Greek broadcaster SKAI, some ferry companies have chosen to operate during the ban under provisions that allow sailings at the captain’s discretion, though this comes with risks.
The Hellenic Coast Guard has urged travellers to check directly with ferry operators before heading to ports, where traffic congestion and long waits have been reported. Earlier on Friday, only sailings to the Argo-Saronic islands from Piraeus and to Marmari in southwest Evia were running.
State broadcaster ERT said many passengers had been at the ports since the early hours, while others travelled from provincial towns only to be met with last-minute cancellations, adding to the frustration.
