With the global shipping community gathering at Posidonia, new data from Clarksons and VesselsValue confirm the continued dominance of the Greek shipping industry.
According to Clarksons, the total value of the Greek-owned fleet reached $204 billion on May 26, compared to $183 billion at the previous Posidonia event two years ago.
The increase is mainly attributed to the delivery of new ships from shipyards and the rise in tanker values, which has accelerated in recent months.
The world’s most valuable tanker fleet
Data from VesselsValue shows that Greek shipowners own both the most valuable active tanker fleet and the largest order book globally.
| Value of the tanker fleet | Greece | China |
|---|
| Active fleet | $66.38 billion | $39 billion |
| Ships on order | $39.89 billion | Under $10 billion |
According to Vesson Nautical, the tanker market continues to operate at particularly high levels, despite a slight decline from the historic highs of recent years. For example, one-year daily rates remain approximately 136% higher than last year, while Aframax rates are at their highest levels since the 2008 “supercycle.”
Leaders in Suezmax and Aframax
Although the Chinese operate a slightly more expensive VLCC fleet, the Greeks dominate new orders for very large tankers.
| VLCC orders | Greece | China |
|---|
| Order value | Over $12 billion | Under $4 billion |
Greek dominance is even greater in the Suezmax and Aframax categories, where Greek shipping families have maintained a strong presence for decades. These specific types of ships are considered particularly versatile, serving both the Mediterranean and the Black Sea as well as international trade routes.
Strong presence in other shipping segments
Although tankers make up the largest portion of the Greek-owned fleet, Greek shipowners also maintain a significant presence in bulk carriers, gas carriers, and container ships.
| Category | Value of active fleet | Value under construction |
|---|
| Bulk Carriers | $66+ billion | $8.2 billion |
| Gas Carriers | $32+ billion | $17 billion |
| Containerships | $18+ billion | $15 billion |
This picture confirms that the Greek shipping industry is entering Posidonia 2026 from a position of strength, having built the largest and most valuable shipping portfolio in its history and maintaining a leading role in global maritime transport.