≡-Greek Shipowners Association Collaborates With Maritime Ministry And Disability Advocates To Roll Out New Nationwide Accessibility Standards For Passenger Ferries – Viral of Today

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Home » TOURISM NEWS » Greek Shipowners Association Collaborates With Maritime Ministry And Disability Advocates To Roll Out New Nationwide Accessibility Standards For Passenger Ferries Friday, August 1, 2025The Greek Shipowners Association, in close coordination with the National Confederation of Persons with Disabilities (E.S.AmeA) and the Maritime Ministry, is backing a comprehensive reform to overhaul ferry travel accessibility across Greece. The proposed regulatory amendments, now entering public consultation, aim to transform both conventional and high-speed vessels with a wide range of inclusive upgrades—such as wheelchair ramps, elevators with visual and audio indicators, accessible restrooms, supportive cabins, and reserved seating for passengers with reduced mobility. The initiative also calls for staff training and port facility improvements, marking a collaborative national effort to ensure safer, barrier-free maritime travel for all, especially for those with physical disabilities and visual impairments.Greece Advances Inclusive Ferry Regulations to Enhance Accessibility for Passengers with DisabilitiesGreece is implementing a wide-reaching update to its maritime transport regulations to ensure that ferry services across the country are fully accessible and inclusive for individuals with disabilities and reduced mobility. The country’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Island Policy is leading the initiative, which involves modernizing accessibility standards on both conventional and high-speed passenger vessels operating across Greek waters.The proposed regulatory changes reflect a coordinated effort between the Ministry, the National Confederation of Persons with Disabilities (E.S.AmeA), and the Greek Shipowners Association for Passenger Ships (SEEN). Together, these bodies have developed a series of amendments to Presidential Decrees enacted in 2001 and 2011, laying the groundwork for a more equitable and safer maritime experience for all travelers, regardless of their physical ability.The draft regulations, expected to be released for public consultation in the upcoming fall season, present a comprehensive strategy aimed at addressing the gaps in ferry accessibility across Greece’s island and coastal routes. With maritime transport playing a vital role in national and regional connectivity, particularly for residents and tourists traveling to and from the country’s many islands, the lack of consistent accessibility infrastructure has been a significant concern for years.Infrastructure Overhaul on VesselsAmong the core changes proposed is the installation of physical infrastructure that would enable passengers with disabilities to board and navigate ferries with greater ease and independence. The draft legislation mandates the use of ramps for wheelchair access at all boarding points, ensuring that entry and disembarkation are free from architectural barriers. Where elevators are not feasible due to vessel constraints, alternative mechanisms such as stairlifts must be installed to allow passengers with reduced mobility to move between decks.In cases where elevators are installed, the draft regulations specify that these lifts must feature both audible and visual signals, making them accessible for both hearing- and visually-impaired travelers. This dual-mode communication system is intended to prevent navigation issues and enhance passenger confidence during travel.Additionally, new ferries and those undergoing renovation must include designated areas for passengers with limited mobility, such as specially marked seating spaces in passenger lounges and vehicle decks. These areas will be reserved to ensure comfort and safety, while preventing congestion or accidental misuse by other passengers.Improved Restroom and Cabin AccessibilitySanitary facilities also form a key component of the accessibility upgrades. Under the proposed regulations, all ferries will be required to include accessible restrooms outfitted with support handrails, non-slip floors, and adequate space for maneuvering wheelchairs. Emergency assistance buttons and clearly marked signage in Braille and high-contrast formats will be mandatory for these facilities.Longer routes will also be required to offer specially designed passenger cabins for travelers with disabilities. These cabins must provide wider doorways, ample turning space for mobility aids, and accessible beds with safety features. This ensures that passengers requiring overnight travel are not excluded from comfort and proper accommodation during the journey.Navigation Aids for the Visually ImpairedAnother important element of the proposed updates is the inclusion of visual aids for passengers with impaired vision. Ferries will need to include high-contrast color markings on doors, staircases, handrails, and other transition points to improve spatial orientation. These markings assist visually impaired passengers in identifying key features on board and reduce the chances of accidents or disorientation, particularly in busy or emergency situations.The regulations also encourage the installation of tactile flooring where appropriate to help guide travelers through common pathways such as boarding ramps, restrooms, elevators, and emergency exits.Emphasis on Training and Port CoordinationWhile physical accessibility is a central focus of the initiative, the Ministry also recognizes the importance of properly trained human resources. Ferry companies will be required to ensure that their staff—both on board and at terminals—receive formal training in assisting passengers with various types of disabilities. This includes appropriate communication methods, safety protocols, and the handling of accessibility equipment.Ports, too, are expected to participate in the transformation. The proposed regulations call for enhanced collaboration between port authorities and ferry operators to upgrade infrastructure such as boarding ramps, waiting areas, restrooms, and signage. Ports must also consider accessible transportation links between terminals and local transport hubs.Public Consultation and Implementation TimelineThe draft amendments will enter public consultation in the fall, with stakeholders—including advocacy groups, ferry operators, tourism agencies, and local governments—invited to contribute feedback. After the consultation phase, the Ministry aims to finalize the legislation and set a phased implementation timeline to allow ferry operators and port authorities adequate time to comply with the new standards.The regulations will apply to both newly constructed vessels and existing ships undergoing retrofitting, with different compliance deadlines based on vessel type and capacity. High-speed ferries, conventional ships, and long-distance overnight vessels will each have tailored requirements reflecting their unique structural characteristics and passenger services.A New Era for Accessible Maritime Travel in GreeceWith its new policy initiative, Greece is taking a decisive step toward making its iconic ferry system more inclusive and socially responsible. The country’s geographic landscape—marked by hundreds of inhabited islands and coastal destinations—makes maritime transport not just a convenience, but a necessity. Ensuring that all citizens and tourists can navigate this system with dignity and independence is central to national efforts in equality, tourism accessibility, and infrastructure modernization.The Greek Shipowners Association and Greek disability rights groups are jointly supporting new ferry accessibility regulations aimed at making maritime travel across Greece safer and more inclusive for passengers with disabilities. The reforms introduce mandatory upgrades such as ramps, elevators, accessible cabins, and staff training.Once implemented, these regulations could establish Greece as a leader in accessible ferry transport in the Mediterranean region, setting a benchmark for other coastal nations to follow.

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