Greece Controls the World’s Largest Shipping Fleet by Capacity

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Europe’s maritime strength still runs through Greece, with the country’s shipping industry playing a central role in global trade, energy security and the European Union’s commercial fleet, according to official and industry figures released for World Maritime Day.

The Greek-owned fleet now numbers about 5,800 vessels. According to the Union of Greek Shipowners, it accounts for 61% of EU-controlled fleet capacity and 19.1% of world merchant-fleet tonnage. Greece ranks first in oil tankers and LNG carriers and second in bulk carriers — the ship types that move much of the world’s energy and raw materials.

UNCTAD’s Review of Maritime Transport 2025 confirms the same leadership in ownership terms at the start of 2025. Greek owners controlled 5,124 vessels and 398 million deadweight tons, or 16.4% of global capacity. China followed with 10,440 vessels, 347 million tons and 14.4%; Japan with 4,083 vessels, 241 million tons and 9.9%. Together, the three countries held more than 40% of world shipping capacity.

Only a minority of Greek-owned ships fly the national flag. UNCTAD recorded 562 vessels under the Greek register and 4,555 under foreign flags, a reminder that Greek ownership is a global commercial network rather than a purely national register.

The scale matters as Brussels develops a maritime industrial strategy and talks of strategic autonomy. Greek shipping is already one of Europe’s largest maritime assets. It underpins energy security through tankers and LNG carriers, keeps bulk commodities moving, and gives the EU a commercial fleet it does not itself operate. Industry data also show a large orderbook for new, more efficient ships — a sign that the lead is being renewed, not just inherited.

World Maritime Day is meant to mark shipping’s role in trade, safety and the ocean economy. For Greece, the day is also a statement of fact: a country of 10 million people still owns the world’s largest fleet by carrying capacity, and Europe’s maritime position still depends on it.

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