By George Fokianos

Greek-owned shipping retains its top global position, operating a fleet of more than 5,800 vessels and holding an orderbook of over 900 state-of-the-art ships.

“Greek shipping continues to evolve and modernize. It is also at the forefront in terms of the industry’s environmental footprint. We remain firmly committed to the maritime sector, which we engage with and serve on a daily basis. We remain strong, as we always have,” stated Melina Travlos, President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, responding to a question from Naftemporiki during the Union’s press conference held at the conclusion of the international Posidonia shipping exhibition.

Despite the unprecedented scale of Greek shipowners’ newbuilding programme—both in terms of volume and sustainable vessel design—the competitiveness of European shipping remains a pressing concern. As Travlos emphasized, “We must enhance the competitiveness of European shipping, a sector that is currently under significant pressure from competition originating in Asia. This competition is largely driven by state subsidies, which European shipping does not benefit from.”

Regional Measures and Hidden Costs

One of the key challenges affecting competitiveness is the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). According to Travlos, the ETS is undermining the competitiveness of Greek shipping.

Antonis Lemos, Vice President of the Union, noted that while the ETS directly impacts shipowners and charterers, its ultimate burden falls on European consumers. “The increase in transportation costs is ultimately passed on to European consumers, making the ETS an indirect cost for households and businesses across Europe,” he said.

A Longstanding Social Contribution

Greek shipping remains the only industry in Greece that delivers social impact through collective initiatives at an institutional level, according to the President of the Union. She highlighted the sector’s longstanding and substantial contribution to society, adding that “whenever extraordinary circumstances arise, we stand alongside the state and support our fellow citizens.”

The Union also places particular emphasis on supporting younger generations and advancing education. “This year, we will implement the largest scholarship programme ever undertaken by the Union of Greek Shipowners, awarding 365 scholarships to 365 students to pursue postgraduate studies at universities around the world, across all academic disciplines,” Travlos stated.

Posidonia 2026 wraps up with historic turnout

The 29th edition of the exhibition closed its doors at the Athens Metropolitan Expo, attracting more than 35,000 visitors and 2,200 exhibitors during a week in which the shipping industry—responsible for transporting approximately 87% of global trade—found itself at the centre of critical geopolitical, energy and regulatory developments. This year’s event took place against an exceptionally challenging international backdrop.

Disruptions in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, rising trade protectionism, and the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) strict decarbonisation targets for 2030 and 2050 intensified global market uncertainty.

Against this backdrop, Posidonia served not only as a venue for commercial networking and business agreements, but also as a focal point for an industry seeking direction, stability and broader consensus on its future course. Posidonia 2026 was highly significant as the first edition held after the implementation of the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) for maritime transport.

This new regulatory framework has fundamentally altered the economic landscape for both European-flagged fleets and international shipping operators calling at European ports.

As a result, the transition towards zero-emission shipping dominated the agenda throughout the five-day event, with discussions on fuels, technologies, infrastructure and regulatory frameworks taking centre stage.

At the same time, this year’s exhibition highlighted more clearly than ever that shipping now stands at the intersection of global trade, security and economic sovereignty.

With seafarers facing growing security threats, supply chains under increasing strain, and major trade routes becoming focal points of geopolitical tensions, Posidonia also served as a forum for strategic reassessment by the international maritime community.

Meanwhile, the strength of Greek shipowners and the capabilities of Greece’s shipbuilding and maritime industrial sector were clearly demonstrated through a series of significant business developments, new partnerships and announcements made during the week.

Greek shipowners once again confirmed their status as key players in global shipping markets, while interest in Greece as a hub for shipbuilding, logistics and energy connectivity remained particularly strong.

The Chief Executive Officer of Posidonia Exhibitions S.A., Theodore Vokos, noted that, as in every previous edition, Posidonia once again served as the stage for some of the shipping industry’s most significant commercial announcements, ranging from new vessel orders and technological partnerships to classification agreements and initiatives involving alternative fuels.

A distinctive feature of this year’s event was the strong presence of governmental and intergovernmental officials, further underscoring the extent to which shipping is increasingly viewed as a strategic issue closely linked to foreign policy, the energy transition and economic sovereignty.