Heavy winds in several Greek seas have disrupted passenger ship schedules, causing the cancellation of ferry sailings from Greek mainland ports to Aegean and Ionian island destinations.

The National Meteorological Service said that winds would reach gale-force strength of 8 on the Beaufort scale, even rising to 9 at some locations, in both the Aegean and Ionian Seas.

Authorities are advising travellers to be alert for updates on ferry sailings through the local port offices and travel agencies, as it is very likely that more schedules or changes will be announced through the day.

Ferry cancellations throughout Saturday in Greece

Travel by ferry to the Greek islands was forecast to continue to be affected later during the day.

According to the Hellenic Coast Guard, morning schedules of ships leaving from Piraeus to the Cyclades and the East and North Aegean islands were cancelled.

The Saturday afternoon sailing of Blue Star Chios was also cancelled, affecting travel to Thira (Santorini), Anafi, Heraklion, Sitia, Karpathos, Diafani, Chalki, and Rhodes.

At the Argosaronic Gulf, only conventional ferries were allowed to sail.

At the port of Rafina, schedules for Marmari port on Evia operated as normal, but those to the Cycladic islands of Andros, Tinos and Mykonos were cancelled.

At Lavrio port as well, morning sailings were cancelled.

In addition, schedules at the straits of Igoumenitsa – Lefkimmi – Corfu on the Ionian Sea and the Rio – Antirrio ferry connection in the Gulf of Corinth were also cancelled on Saturday.

Besides port areas flooded by the storms, many city streets in affected regions were also affected by hail and rainfall.