Hellenic ShippingMoves the World

In an era of growing uncertainty, shipping once again confirms its enduring role as a force of continuity, stability and connection.

At the international level, 2025 was a year marked by major disruptions that continue to unfold with intensity and on multiple fronts. Geopolitical tensions and, above all, conflicts in critical maritime regions placed shipping at the centre of an environment of unprecedented risk. Attacks against merchant vessels and seafarers in the Red Sea, the Black Sea and, more recently, the Strait of Hormuz revealed a new reality, in which freedom of navigation and safety at sea are being directly challenged and undermined.

Our position has been clear and firm: freedom of navigation is a global public good. The protection of the environment, of vessels and, above all, of human life is non-negotiable. We have conveyed this message consistently, with institutional responsibility and a strong voice, across all relevant fora.

In this demanding environment, Hellenic shipping maintained its leading position internationally, reaffirming its strategic importance, reliability and resilience. The Greek-owned fleet continues to play a leading role in international maritime transport, contributing decisively to energy security, food supply and the stability of global supply chains.

At the same time, we remain firmly committed to the industry’s green transition. Hellenic shipping, a pioneer in this field as well, continues to invest systematically in new vessels, innovative technologies and emission-reducing solutions, with one of the youngest fleets in the world and the largest fleet of vessels with alternative fuel capability.

However, the transition towards decarbonisation requires realism, technological maturity and global alignment. The outcome of the recent IMO MEPC 84 session offers a second chance to restore consensus, with the aim of achieving a globally applicable and practically implementable framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships.

In Europe, we remain steadfast in highlighting the strength of our shipping as a strategic pillar of the European economy and of the continent’s energy and food security. At the same time, we have continued to insist on the need to safeguard the competitiveness of European shipping against measures that create distortions without delivering meaningful environmental results. Competitiveness and sustainability are not opposing forces. They must coexist in order to achieve a fair and balanced transition.

At the national level, our priority, in this era of major disruptions, remains the safeguarding of Hellenic shipping’s leading position. For us, however, leadership also means responsibility towards our country, society and future generations.

Within the framework of our Union’s Aid Programme for Thessaly, “Agios Nikolaos”, we completed the restoration and reconstruction of 33 school facilities. The response we received from the local communities was deeply moving. “You did not only rebuild our school. You rebuilt our faith. You rebuilt our hope.” It is with these words, that Vasilis, a student at Farkadona Junior High School in Trikala, described our work.

At the same time, through UGS’s expanded scholarship programme “SYN-ENOSIS for Education +100 Scholarships”, we continue to reward excellence and support young people who excel with their knowledge, values and ethos.

Unity is our strength. With a common strategy, institutional consistency and collective responsibility, Hellenic shipping will continue to lead on the seas of the world and contribute meaningfully to shaping the future of global shipping.