Greece is a maritime power in the world and in Europe. 2,200 companies will visit them at the Posidonia fair.

Greek shipping has maintained a leading position in the maritime transport market for years. In many cases, it has led the way by introducing innovative vessels into the fleet. Greece commands almost 20% of the global maritime transport capacity. Over 60% of the EU fleet flies under the management or flag of Greece.

The Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) recently published its annual report for 2025-2026. This is a comprehensive overview of the latest data on the Greek fleet. The report clearly highlights the important position and contribution of Greek shipowners and operators to the global, European, and national economies.

The Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) also released the latest data on the potential of the Greek merchant fleet. The merchant fleet has always been a national asset and the apple of the eye of the Greek government. Therefore, the Greek fleet is still growing and was 1.6% larger in terms of deadweight tonnage in 2026 compared to 2025. In 2025, the fleet also increased by 0.8% compared to 2024.

The Greek Fleet in 2024-2026. Source: Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) 2026

It’s no surprise, then, that leading ship and equipment manufacturers, as well as ship design and certification firms, gather in Athens every two years for the Posidonia trade fair. Over 2,000 shipping-related companies and institutions set up booths here. All leading shipping registries exhibit. Representatives from leading logistics and IT companies attend the fair. These companies and institutions receive support from their governments in the form of grants for national pavilions.

Among the 23 national pavilions, the shipbuilding industries of China and South Korea will traditionally stand out. Once again, Athens will also host a pavilion featuring companies from Poland, including companies participating in the Maritime Economy Employers’ Forum and the Baltic Maritime and Space Cluster.

Greek Shipowners’ Order Book 2021-2026. Source: Union of Greek Shipowners Report 2025-2026

Greek Fleet in the EU

The report of the Union of Greek Shipowners concisely highlights the strategic role of shipping as the foundation of international trade. In the context of the crisis resulting from the blockade of shipping traffic in the Persian Gulf, the crucial role maritime transport plays in ensuring energy and food security is clearly evident. The role of the Greek fleet in these areas is undeniable.

Greece is a leading maritime shipping nation in the world. As of mid-2026, it has a fleet of almost 5,800 ships, representing over 19% of total global tonnage. Greek shipowners control 61% of the deadweight of the merchant fleet controlled by EU countries.

This is significant news, considering that Greek shipping provides the EU with a strong strategic advantage in the transport of liquid cargo (including crude oil) and bulk cargo (including grains, feed, and fertilizers). This is a significant contribution to maintaining Europe’s resilience to disruptions in the supply chains of strategic cargo.

Melina Travlos, President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, highlights this in the report’s introduction: “In times of growing uncertainty, shipping once again confirms its enduring role as a force for continuity, stability, and connectivity [of international markets – MG]. In this challenging environment, Greek shipping has maintained its leading position on the international stage, confirming its strategic importance, reliability, and resilience.”

The development of Greek shipping would not have been possible without the decisive support of the government and politicians actively lobbying domestically and internationally. Melina Travlos clearly emphasizes that “unity is our strength. Through a common strategy, institutional cohesion, and collective responsibility, Greek shipping will continue to lead the world’s seas and significantly contribute to shaping the future of global shipping.”

Greek shipowners’ share in EU maritime transport segments. Source: Union of Greek Shipowners Report 2025-2026

Record Investments

This strategy is reflected in continuous fleet investment. Greek shipowners are active in both the secondary and primary markets. Recently, they have dramatically intensified their fleet construction activity in leading segments. According to the report, 725 ships with a total deadweight tonnage of 70 million tons are currently under construction worldwide. This represents an increase of 13 million dwt compared to the previous year.

Shipyard portfolios have been swelling for several years despite the turbulence in the maritime transport markets. Operators are investing heavily, and docks are filled to capacity. Total contracts for new ships are estimated at approximately USD 60 billion. Greek shipowners play a significant role in this.

The scale of investment growth is remarkable considering the period of uncertainty and global geopolitical turmoil. The shipping industry has seen a significant increase in demand for shipbuilding over the past five years. The Union of Greek Shipowners’ annual report states that “orders for Greek ships are now seven times higher in terms of number of vessels and five times higher in terms of deadweight than just four years ago.”

Greek investors continue to focus primarily on tankers, bulk carriers, and LNG carriers. These are sectors in which Greek operators already possess significant transport potential and a significant global market share. Changes in global liner services have led Greeks to turn their attention to container shipping.

The report notes this phenomenon. The increased interest in liner shipping has led to a significant increase in container ship orders. Greek shipowners have recognized new business opportunities in container shipping and are focusing on a broader diversification of their transport offerings.

Focus on Efficiency

The Union of Greek Shipowners emphasizes the significant increase in spending on implementing energy-saving technologies and installing devices on ships that increase propulsion efficiency. This is happening in virtually all maritime transport segments.

One of the clearest indicators of this transformation is the rapid increase in the number of ships equipped with energy-saving technologies. At the beginning of 2024, only one in three Greek-owned ships had at least one such system installed. Recently, the number of such ships has increased significantly, now accounting for over 50% of the fleet.

The report presents this trend as evidence that Greek shipping is accelerating its transformation towards more eco-friendly solutions while simultaneously strengthening its position as a global leader in environmentally friendly maritime transport.

“Greek shipping is leading the industry’s green transformation, with one of the youngest fleets in the world and the world’s largest fleet capable of using alternative fuels. Our investments in newbuildings, innovative technologies, digitalization, and emission-reducing solutions are continuous and significant,” emphasized Melina Travlos in a media statement ahead of the Posidonia trade fair.

The president of the Union of Greek Shipowners cautions, however, that “the transition to decarbonization requires realism, technological maturity, and global coherence. It must not compromise the safety of crews and ships, nor the profitability of shipping and global supply chains. A truly sustainable transformation must be safe, practical, and implementable, fair to all parties, and operationally effective worldwide.”

Greek fleet shares in global market segments. Source: Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) Graphic: SAFETY4SEA

Greek fleet important for the world and the country

The data from the Union of Greek Shipowners’ annual report for 2025-2026 confirm the strategic position of Greek shipping. Its operations are important not only for Greece. Greek shipowners also exert a significant influence in leading transport segments, which is crucial for the global economy. With almost one-fifth of global cargo capacity, Greeks effectively control entire market segments for the transport of crude oil, LPG and LNG, chemicals and refined products, and bulk cargo.

Greek shipowners continue to strengthen their position as a decisive player through secondary market operations and multi-billion dollar investments in modern vessels. The Greek shipping cluster is truly one of the most influential in setting significant trends in international maritime trade.

“In this challenging environment, Greek shipping has maintained its leading position internationally, confirming its strategic importance, reliability, and resilience. The Greek fleet continues to play a leading role in international maritime transport, making a decisive contribution to energy security, food adequacy, and the stability of global supply chains,” said Melina Travlos during the presentation of the Annual Report 2025-2026.

The press release announcing the annual report emphasizes that “Greek shipping remains a national asset for Greece, directly and indirectly generating 7-8% of the country’s GDP and supporting approximately 200,000 jobs.” The Union of Greek Shipowners is not only an organization that looks after the interests of shipowners. It also conducts active social and educational activities and finances the reconstruction or renovation of school buildings.

The Greek shipowners widely promote the message that “Shipping and Society are Always Together.” The organization is funding 365 scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year through the expanded UGS scholarship program, “SYN-ENOSIS for Education +100 Scholarships.”

Founded in 1916, the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) brings together shipowners and operators who own and manage Greek-owned and operated vessels over 3,000 GT, flying the flags of Greece, other European countries, and third countries. UGS emphasizes its support and promotion of policies that ensure a truly competitive business environment, free trade, global rules and regulations, and above all, safety of life at sea and a sustainable environment.

The Greek fleet ranks third in the VesselsValue rankings, with a value of approximately USD 200 billion (over USD 188 billion in 2025). The 2026 result will be significantly influenced by the value of the tanker fleet (over USD 77.4 billion), bulk carriers (over USD 56.4 billion), and LNG carriers (approximately USD 30.3 billion), according to Rebecca Galanopoulos, an analyst at Veson Nautical. Greece has the second-largest bulk carrier fleet, with nearly 2,770 vessels, as well as over 1,000 crude oil tankers and over 570 chemical and product tankers. Gas is transported by over 420 LNG and LPG carriers.