Union of Greek Shipowners

The year 2016 was a milestone in the history of the Union of Greek Shipowners, which celebrated a century of dynamic presence in maritime affairs since its establishment in 1916.
One hundred years of successful institutional representation of our shipping industry, which proves the strength and effectiveness of collective endeavour and consensus in safeguarding the industry’s legitimate interests, at national, European and international level.

"Seven Seas"
by Athina Rachel Tsangari

On the occasion of its 100 years anniversary, the UGS commissioned the renowned filmmaker Athina Rachel Tsangari to create a film that salutes the Greek seafaring family which laboured at home and in the far corners of the Earth to reach and retain the summit of world shipping.
Enjoy Seven Seas, a tribute to the Greek maritime tradition and its legacy.

Press releases

The UGS welcomes IMO’s ambitious initial GHG reduction strategy as a first but critical step towards the industry’s decarbonization

Piraeus, 16.4.2017

The Union of Greek Shipowners welcomes the adoption of the IMO’s initial GHG reduction strategy by MEPC 72 as a landmark decision that brings the global shipping industry’s desired decarbonization pathway in line with the aspirations of the Paris Agreement.

The UGS strongly supports the adoption of an ambitious and realistic global GHG reduction strategy at IMO

Piraeus, 28.3.2018

The Union of Greek Shipowners strongly supports the successful outcome of the forthcoming IMO MEPC 72 deliberations with the conclusion of an agreement on the Initial IMO Strategy for GHG emissions reduction for international shipping.

New UGS Board of Directors

Piraeus, 8.2.2018

We have the pleasure to communicate with you in order to inform you that Mr. Theodore Veniamis has been re-elected President of our Association on February 8th 2018.

Shipping today

Greek shipping and the economy

The global shipping recession continued through 2016 with market conditions being as challenging as any seen in the last few decades across most sectors of the shipping industry. A stable average global economic growth at 3.1% for 2016 reflects divergent developments: political, economic and trade policy uncertainties in advanced economies (e.g. the Brexit shock, President’s Trump trade policy agenda) and diverse growth rates between emerging market and developing economies (broadly stable in Asian economies and India, weaker than expected in...

Shipping policy

The UGS, representing the interests of Greek-owned shipping, follows closely developments in the area of shipping policy, engaging constructively in the formulation of the collective ...

Maritime Safety and Protection of the Marine Environment

Maritime safety and the protection of the marine environment depends on a chain of collective responsibility, namely, flag states, port states, shipowners, ship operators, shipbuilders ...