Greek shipping continues to hold its prominent position as a world leader

The Annual Report 2022-2023 of the Union of Greek Shipowners has been released. It provides an in-depth analysis of the sector’s most important developments in maritime policy. The report includes relevant statistics and data which emphasize the crucial role of Greek shipping at a national, European and global level.

According to the UGS Annual Report 2022-2023:

• Greece continues to be the world’s largest shipping country, as Greek shipowners control 21% of the global tonnage with a total of 5,520 ships.
• The importance of Greek shipping is even more significant for the EU, as Greek interests control more than 70% of the EU-controlled fleet for the types of vessels of strategic importance. The Greek-owned fleet contributes drastically to ensuring the food security and energy autonomy of the European Union.
• The Greek shipping community invests heavily in new, more advanced ships and technologies which improve efficiency and minimize the industry’s environmental footprint.

The UGS Annual Report 2022-2023 provides a concise overview of the major topics discussed in the global maritime public debate over the past year. Additionally, it outlines the UGS key positions and actions taken on each subject matter.

The UGS Annual Report 2022-2023 covers various topics related to shipping, including competitiveness, financing and human resources. The report places a strong emphasis on the decarbonisation of the industry, with a focus on international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the revised IMO GHG Strategy and on European legislative measures, such as the “Fit-for-55” package, which includes the extension of the EU ETS to shipping and the FuelEU Maritime Regulation. Additionally, the report refers concisely to the Greek shipping’s multidimensional social solidarity work in various areas, such as health, education, welfare, and support for vulnerable groups and crisis management.

In the preamble of the Report, Ms. Melina Travlos, the President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, mentions, inter alia:

“In the current challenging environment, it is vital we work together with a common vision. Concerted and concrete actions are required to maintain our historical seamanship and advance our industry, whilst in parallel maintaining our leadership and positioning ourselves for an ever-changing global status quo. Our goal is to safeguard Greek shipping, to safeguard our national asset.

It is with the Oracle of Delphi in mind that the salient words, ‘the wooden walls save the city’ ring most true.”

Read the UGS Annual Report 2022-2023: https://ugs.gr/media/13819/annual-report-22-23.pdf