All coastal shipping vessels should be equipped with new means of access and areas of specific specifications in order to facilitate the access of the disabled, pregnant women and the elderly.

Many ships already have such mechanisms, however there was no relevant legislation which provides for specific specifications, as until now this was not mandatory.

For this reason, the Ministry of Shipping completed the drafting of a Presidential Decree, after consultation, which will oblige all the ferry companies, regardless of their status, to create the appropriate mechanisms on the ships for the easy access of these people.

The relevant Presidential Decree, after being signed by his headquarters Port Authorityand the Minister of Shipping Christos Stylianides it is expected to take the “road” for approval by the Council of State.

In particular, special sanitary areas, deck access elevators and special ramps should be created.

According to information, the changes that should be implemented have a specific implementation horizon of three years and will concern ships that are in full service operation, while any new ship that enters the shipping market will have to immediately adapt to the new data.

The same will apply to the new, under construction, “green” ships that will be built in our country.