Port of Piraeus: Dockworkers and protesters block Israeli-Bound military cargo

Thousands of protesters and port workers blocked the unloading of military materials bound for Israel late Wednesday night at the Port of Piraeus, intensifying opposition to Greece’s involvement in transporting arms amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

The Cosco Shipping vessel Pisces, carrying five containers of military-grade steel, was scheduled to offload the cargo at Piers II and III. However, members of the Container Handling Workers’ Union (ENEDEP), dockworkers, and solidarity groups prevented the operation, citing ethical concerns over enabling military aggression in the Middle East.

“We stain our hands with grease, not the blood of innocent people,”
said ENEDEP President Markos Bekris, vowing that workers would remain on site until the vessel leaves.

This is the second such incident this week. On July 14, dockworkers similarly blocked a shipment on the vessel Ever Golden, also believed to be transporting military supplies to Israel.

Mass Mobilization and Support
The protest attracted wide support from civil society and political groups, including:

• PAME (All-Workers Militant Front)
• The Piraeus Labour Centre
• Students’ associations, anti-war organizations, and left-wing political parties such as KKE and ANTARSYA

Participants lit red smoke flares and held banners condemning the use of Greek ports for military purposes. Demonstrators called for an immediate halt to the transfer of war materials, particularly those intended for use in Gaza, where Israeli operations have intensified.

Warnings and Concerns
Union leaders warned that turning Greek ports into nodes in military logistics chains places local workers and civilians at risk, stating it "makes the port a target in international conflicts."

The Seamen’s Federation and the Federation of Railway Workers also issued statements in solidarity, urging all transport workers to refuse to handle military cargo linked to war efforts.

• What’s Next

The protesters have pledged to continue their mobilization until July 20, the date the Pisces is expected to depart. ENEDEP and other groups indicated they may escalate their actions if port authorities or the shipping company attempt to proceed with unloading.

Background
This wave of protests forms part of a broader European trend where trade unionists, dockworkers, and civil society groups are disrupting arms shipments destined for conflict zones, particularly in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

The Port of Piraeus, Greece’s busiest and among the largest in the Mediterranean, is operated in part by China’s Cosco Shipping, which has so far made no official comment.

Photo Caption: Protesters and dockworkers block the entrance to Pier II of the Port of Piraeus on July 16, 2025.
Source: ENEDEP Union / News Agencies