History and Mission

History

The second-level professional organisation (Federation) under the name “Hellenic Federation of Road Transports” (OFAE) is a trade union established in 1936; it was recognised by Decision No 2239/1936 of the Athens Court of First Instance approving its Articles of Association which were later amended by decisions No 2026/1964, 32/1968, 1824/1971, 455/1979, 982/1981, 3257/1984, 377/1988, 2882/1994 of the Athens Multi-Member Court of First Instance and decisions No 80/2002, 3894/2004, 5258/2009 and 4451/2012 of the Athens Single-Member Court of First Instance. It is registered in the records of trade unions kept by the Athens Court of First Instance with Reg. No 69, and it operates under its articles of association, Law 1712/1987, as amended, and the Civil Code. Its registered office is in Athens, at the proprietary offices located at 351, Patision Str., and it has a branch in Thessaloniki, at 39, Giannitson Str.

Articles of Association - OFAE 2019.pdf

Mission

OFAE is the voice of road passenger and freight transport operators throughout Greece and, as such, it works to facilitate road transport and to represent the rights of Greek hauliers in Greece and abroad.

The role of road transports in transport traffic in Greece is highly important, since it is estimated that they account for more than 95% of the total inter-urban passenger and freight transport traffic by road. Road transports are a vital industry for the Greek economy and represent a significant part of the GDP and jobs in Greece. In Greece, 98% of national freight services are provided by road. The transport of goods by road in Greece is particularly important, since it dominates Greek freight services, and it is a crucial factor in achieving the objective set by Greece to become a transit hub for the Balkans, Northern Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

OFAE is involved in activities which relate to and include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Safeguarding and promoting the mutual financial, social and professional interests of road passenger or freight transport operators, while serving the interests of the public.
• Developing and improving road passenger or freight transports to the benefit of society.
• Studying and resolving any problem directly or indirectly linked to road passenger or freight transports.
• Contributing to the shaping, supplementation, modification, simplification, unification and improvement of legislation, regulations and practices that pertain to land freight transport, customs procedures, road safety etc.
• Studying and resolving the problems of the industry, and improving the conditions under which road passenger or freight transport operators work.
• Providing education and vocational training to eligible road passenger or freight transport operators (or both) by establishing and operating Transport Operator Vocational Training Schools (SEKAMs), and providing education and vocational training on the transport of hazardous freight by establishing and operating Hazardous Freight Vehicle Drivers Vocational Training Schools (SEKOOMEEs), as well as Schools for the accreditation of professional driving ability (PEI).
• Improving the conditions under which road passenger or freight transport operators work, raising their intellectual and cultural level, conferring status on their profession, and safeguarding and expanding their financial, professional and insurance rights.