Greece holds its prominent position regarding the number of people employed in maritime transport. As the Maritime Chamber of Greece points out, according to data released by Eurostat about the year 2022, the largest number of workers in maritime transport was recorded in Greece among countries in European Union. With a population that reaches only 2.3% of the EU, maritime transport workers in the country represent 16% of the corresponding total of the EU and amount to 45,900 people. Greece is followed by Italy with 35,300 people (12% of the EU) employed in water transport and Germany (28,600 people - 10% of the EU). It is noted that the EU countries with the lowest number of people employed in maritime transport were Luxembourg (600 people), Malta (1,200 people) and Lithuania (2,300 people).

 

In the EU, 292.000 people aged 15-64 years worked in water transport in 2022 (0.1% of total employment). Of these, almost 8 out of 10 were men (78% men compared with 22% women).

 

At the same time Greek shipping represents 60% of the fleet controlled by the European Union, while regarding the types of vessels of strategic importance, Greek shipowners control over 70% of the total tonnage of the EU fleet. In particular, Greek shipowners control 80% of EU-controlled dry bulk carriers, 73% of oil tankers, 85% of LNG carriers and 17% of container carriers. More than 1/3 of the Greek-owned fleet is flagged by an EU member state, further strengthening the added value of the sector for the european economy.

 

According to the Union of Greek Shipowners’ Annual Report 2022-2023 Greece continues to be the world's largest shipping country, as Greek shipowners control 21% of the global tonnage with a total of 5,520 ships.

 

Globally, Greek shipping represents (in dwt capacity) 31.27% of the global oil tanker fleet, 25.32% of the global dry bulk fleet, 22.65% of the global liquefied natural gas fleet (LNG), 15.79% of the global chemical and petroleum product fleet, 11.46% of the global LPG fleet and 8.92% of the global container fleet.