The Greek town that launched a thousand ships – in pictures

Generations of Perama families have been building ships for centuries, but the economic slowdown has caused the area to suffer an alarming 90 per cent unemployment rate.

Until recently, Perama was the hub of Greece's maritime repair industry, serving as a vital maintenance stop for ships from all over the world.

From thousands of people working the shipyards at Perama, the number has gone down to about 300.

Since 2008, 95 per cent of Perama's shipyard workers have lost their jobs.

A ship sits in dry dock while undergoing hull repairs.

After the government imposed credit controls last week, many shipyard workers have been told they will receive only half of their wages because of employers' difficulty accessing money.

Worse, some shipyard workers have not been paid because of the lack of cash to pay them.

Generations of Perama families have been building ships for centuries, but the economic slowdown has caused the area to suffer an alarming 90 per cent unemployment rate.

A disused fork lift truck abandoned on a street near the Perama shipyards.

Until recently, Perama was the hub of Greece's maritime repair industry, serving as a vital maintenance stop for ships from all over the world.

From thousands of people working the shipyards at Perama, the number has gone down to about 300.

The Greek shipbuilding town of Perama has suffered immensely during the recent economic slowdown with almost all residents going out of work. Photos by Christopher Furlong / Getty Images