Shipping amid new challenges

From oars to sails and then steam power, shipping is now ready to make the next major leap to zero-emission fuels. Shipping finds itself before a new, and of historical dimensions challenge. What’s at stake for all involved parties is none other than survival, namely, who will be able to follow new trail-blazing trends in order to advance, and who’ll be left behind to “sink” — something we’ve seen in the past with major maritime powers who failed to follow developments and disappeared from the seas.

Greek shipping has been present in global trade by ocean-going vessels over the past six millennia, essentially all of recorded human history, a period when most commercial transport around the planet has been conducted with ships. Over the past few decades, moreover, Greek shipping isn’t only present, but ranks as the global leader.

At present, Greek-controlled shipping is comprised of more than 5,500 vessels, representing roughly 21 percent of the global fleet, in terms of capacity (dwt). Moreover, the Greek-controlled fleet continues to grow, as total capacity has increased by 45.8 percent in comparison to 2014. During the recent pandemic, meaning since 2019, capacity has increased by 7.4 percent.

Greek shipping represents 59 percent of the European fleet, and comprises a strategic advantage for the European Union in its quest to guarantee food security and its energy independence.

Greek ship-owners, as a significant component of global shipping, appear determined to retain their international lead in the new era by investing in modern and ‘green’ ships; by tabling realistic and applicable proposals; by striving to comply with regulations without European and Greek shipping losing competitiveness.

At the same time, Greek-controlled shipping is ready to cooperate with all involved parties in the sector: shipbuilders, engine manufacturers and fuel producers, among others, in order for transition to the new, ‘greener’ era to be achieved smoothly.

“To Vima” is welcoming thousands of visitors from around the world at this year’s Posidonia shipping exhibition with an illustrated edition entitled “Shipping”, which aims to showcase the strategic role of global ocean-going shipping as the most effective and environmentally-friendly transport. The multi-page edition presents alls contemporary trends, ideas, views and developments that affect and are affected by international shipping. The sector’s role is analyzed, and new maritime transport routes are detailed in view of recent geopolitical developments.

A special section deals with Greece’s age-old naval and maritime history, traditional seafaring communities and the venerable legacy of the Greek sailor, from antiquity to the present day.

Greece, a seafaring nation, continues to dominate on the world’s sea lanes, and we hope this unique example will find its rightful place in the special “Shipping” edition by “To Vima”.