It may come as a surprise, but the world’s largest maritime power in 2025 isn’t the country building the most ships or exporting the most goods. According to new data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Greece once again ranks as the top global shipping nation, commanding the greatest share of global deadweight tonnage (DWT) despite its small geographic footprint.
Greece controls over 16% of the world’s carrying capacity, edging out China and Japan, which rank second and third. The distinction isn’t based on the total number of vessels but on the combined capacity of Greece’s fleet—heavily weighted toward large tankers, bulk carriers, LNG ships, and other high-capacity vessels.
Why Greece Still Dominates Global Shipping
Greece’s enduring leadership is built on several long-standing advantages:
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Deep maritime heritage cultivated across generations. Its network of long-established shipping families and companies has mastered global operations, asset strategy, and risk diversification.
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Global operating footprint, with shipowners maintaining presences in major maritime hubs across Europe and Asia. This enables rapid adjustments in routing and fleet deployment as trade flows shift.
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Focus on vessel size and efficiency, resulting in larger-than-average ships that support economies of scale and long-haul efficiency—key factors in today’s global supply chain environment.
A Rising Tide in Asia
Meanwhile, Asia’s maritime presence continues to grow. China, Japan, and other regional players have expanded both private and state-backed fleets, giving the region control over more than half of the world’s commercial vessels. Their influence extends across energy, manufacturing, and raw materials supply chains.
Yet despite this expansion, Greece maintains a commanding position through its global reach and focus on high-capacity shipping segments.
Why This Matters for Supply Chain Stakeholders
This dynamic has far-reaching implications:
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Rate and capacity fluctuations: Greek-owned vessels have significant influence over bulk energy routes and long-haul corridors linking Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Deployment decisions can directly impact freight rates and available vessel capacity.
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Strategic corridor alignment: Greece remains a pivotal player in East–West trade lanes, supporting global flows of raw materials, manufactured goods, and consumer products.
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Global fleet diversification: With Greece leading in capacity and Asia dominating vessel count, global logistics now operate under a hybrid model where legacy maritime powers and modern industrial nations share the steering wheel.
As worldwide supply chains continue to evolve, Greece’s unexpected—but consistent—role at the top of the maritime hierarchy is a reminder that shipping influence is defined not only by scale or shipbuilding strength, but by operational expertise, strategic investment, and global integration.
