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

Greek Shipowners fully support the global shipping sector’s proposal for a $5 billion R&D Fund to eliminate CO2 emissions

Piraeus, 18.12.2019

The international shipping community has today announced plans for the creation of the first collaborative shipping Research & Development (R&D) Fund, intended to eliminate CO2 emissions from international shipping. The proposal, which is more timely than ever, includes core funding from shipping companies across the world of about USD 5 billion over a 10-year period.

Donation of high speed patrol vessels to the Greek State

Piraeus, 22.11.2019

The Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS), through the Greek Shipowners’ Social Welfare Company Syn-Enosis (www.syn-enosis.gr), responding with a sense of responsibility to the national challenges facing our country, donated 10 high speed patrol vessels of high standards and fully equipped to the Hellenic Coast Guard, in order to cover its operational needs. The relevant agreement was signed in the presence of the Prime Minister, Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, by the Minister of Finance, Mr. Christos Staikouras and the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Mr. Ioannis Plakiotakis.

The UGS calls for immediate and effective intervention by the international community to prevent and respond to attacks on merchant ships in the Gulf of Guinea

Piraeus, 8.11.2019

The Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) is following with great worry and concern the serious situation created following the recent incidents of armed attacks and abductions against merchant ships in the Gulf of Guinea. The situation has taken an alarming turn for the safety of ships and their crews, and has serious implications for international shipping and for the smooth conduct of international maritime trade in the region.

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....