Shipping continues to underpin the global economy, with 87 per cent of merchandise trade by volume carried at sea. Greece retains a disproportionate influence as one of the world's leading maritime powers, reports financial service giant KPMG.

Global maritime trade has risen 96 per cent over the past 25 years, with the fleet reaching 116,000 vessels and 2.5 billion DWT in 2026. The orderbook climbed to nearly 7,000 ships and 483 million DWT, reflecting sustained investment in larger and more efficient tonnage.

Greek shipowners maintain a leading role in carrying capacity and vessel numbers. Their fleet averages 16.8 years compared to 22.5 years globally, and about 20 per cent of Greek-owned ships are fitted with scrubbers, which is double the international rate.

KPMG stated that future competitiveness will be shaped by energy transition, infrastructure investment, geopolitics, and technology. Alternative fuels account for only 2.5 per cent of the active fleet but already make up 25 per cent of the orderbook, signaling a shift to sustainable models.

Greek owners are also diversifying into energy, infrastructure, and wider supply chain activities. Key trends include LNG, methanol, and ammonia fuel adoption, digitalization and artificial intelligence, as well as ESG criteria influencing financing and tenders.

Challenges include uncertainty over future fuels, limited port infrastructure, high technology costs, geopolitical risks, and rising cyber threats. KPMG noted that these forces will define the next phase of global shipping and reaffirm Greece's role in shaping maritime trade.