Union of Greek Shipowners

"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 Union of Greek Shipowners underlines the urgent need to normalize repatriation and crew replacement procedures

Piraeus, 13.7.2020

With the pandemic continuing to spread around the globe, the need for uninterrupted operation of international shipping, which serves 80% of world trade, remains a fact of vital importance.

However, in order for shipping to fulfill its role, shipping companies must be able to safely and efficiently man their ships and make the necessary crew changes. However, so far, despite the interventions of international shipping organisations and of many maritime countries, including the Greek government, the various current restrictions on travel around the world are preventing crew changes.

Greek shipping confirms its commitment to implementing the U.S. order to ban trade and economic transactions with Venezuela and other countries.

Piraeus, 16.6.2020

On Monday 15/6/2020 and in the wake of the recent sanctions imposed by the U.S. Government on Greek-owned ships, the President of the Union of Greek Shipowners, Mr. Theodore Veniamis, met with the U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Mr. Geoffrey R. Pyatt, at the U.S. Embassy. Mr. Veniamis emphatically stated that the Union of Greek Shipowners remains committed to implementing U.S. sanctions measures and would continue to urge its members to refrain from conducting any business with Venezuela until there is a change in regime.

Greek Shipowners applaud the “heroes” of the sea

Piraeus, 10.4.2020

In the whirlpool of the pandemic that humanity is currently experiencing, and with the undivided attention of all to the unequal war being waged on land with the sacred goal of preserving human life and public health, the wish of the people of the shipping industry to pay tribute to the indispensable role of shipping, and most importantly to the ships’ human capital who constitute the driving force of it, is more than timely.

Theodore E. Veniamis

President of the UGS

“At a national level, Greek-owned shipping has, by its very nature, continued to be recognised as a national asset, above political parties. Maintaining its close ties with the country remains a common goal of both the State and shipowners. The prerequisite is that it must continue to be internationally competitive and therefore sustainable. In addition, the State can capitalise on the dynamics of deep-sea shipping and the maritime cluster as well as the economic and political circumstances in Europe to create a wider, business-friendly platform for development that will significantly enhance Greece’s position as an international maritime hub with strong prospects for boosting the added value for the economy.

Greek shipping’s contribution to Greece is multifaceted, providing diverse opportunities which the State should utilise, capitalising on the country’s important geopolitical position and its leading modern shipping capability, which is an integral element of its national identity and a defining characteristic of its people.”

Shipping today

Greek shipping and the economy

The global economy started in 2018 on a positive note but, as industrial production decelerated, trade slowed and business confidence fell, the momentum lost steam. Global growth, which peaked at close to 4% in 2017, moderated to 3.6% in 2018 and is projected to decline further to 3.3% in 2019.

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 Environment

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