Greek shipping maintained its lead in global capacity, according to the latest data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Greek-owned vessels comprised 4,992 ships with a total carrying capacity of 394,977,181 deadweight tonnage (dwt), which represents 16.9% of the total global dwt.

Chinese fleet held the second spot with 6,600 ships and a capacity of 309,870,897 dwt, making up 13.3% of the global total. 

Both the Greek and Chinese fleets saw a 17.4% and 13.4% decline year-on-year, respectively.

Japan ranked third with a 10.4% share of global dwt, followed by Singapore at 6.3% and Hong Kong at 5.8%.

The global fleet comprises approximately 109,000 vessels in early 2024, including both cargo and non-cargo ships. 

The global fleet's total carrying capacity reached about 2.4 billion dwt, with bulk carriers making up 42.7% and tankers accounting for 28.3%. 

Meanwhile, the UNCTAD noted that the Greek fleet is expanding and modernizing, with a focus on energy efficiency and the integration of the latest environmental technologies.

Greece has the largest fleet in the world capable of using alternative fuels, according to the annual report of the Union of Greek Shipowners.