Pilot boats' lack of staff and equipment forces delays on cruise ships

Many cruise liners visiting Greece face long delays waiting off the ports of Piraeus and Thessaloniki due to the pilot services' lack of staff and equipment.

The service is essential for cruise vessels to be allowed into a port, and the shortages are forcing luxury cruise ships to wait for hours while local enterprises eagerly await the disembarkation of passengers iin the hopes of brisk business.

"One or two hours of waiting is nothing - it can be much worse" an agent told Kathimerini.

The issue is by no means insignificant when it comes to cruise companies deciding whether to visit Greek ports.