Greece accelerates ferry accessibility reforms after public outcry
The Greek government is fast-tracking new regulations to improve accessibility on passenger ferries, following a widely condemned incident that exposed serious gaps in the current infrastructure.
Greece’s Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Minister Vassilis Kikilias announced this week that a presidential decree will soon outline mandatory accessibility upgrades for ferries operating in Greece. The move comes in response to an incident in which a child and their caregiver were forced to travel in the ferry’s garage in extreme heat, because there was no ramp to the passenger deck on a route from the island of Thasos to Keramoti.
“This cannot continue,” said Kikilias, emphasizing that clear timelines have now been set for the implementation of the changes.
The announcement was made after a meeting between Kikilias, Ioannis Vardakastanis, president of the National Confederation of Disabled People of Greece, and Dionysis Theodoratos, president of the Association of Passenger Shipping Companies (SEEN).
Key accessibility measures outlined in the Presidential Decree include:
-Ramps with a maximum incline of 5% to allow safe wheelchair access
-Elevators equipped with both audible and visual indicators
-Disability lifts where elevators cannot be installed
-Accessible restrooms with signage, handrails, and emergency call buttons
-Cabins with full turning space and specially designed beds
-Reserved seating for people with reduced mobility, both for passengers and vehicles
-High-contrast color markings on doors, stair edges, and pathways for the visually impaired.
The final draft of the presidential order is expected to be submitted in the fall.
Minister Kikilias acknowledged the urgency of the situation and pledged that the time for inaction had passed: “There is no room for delay. We must ensure dignity, safety, and access for all passengers.”
