The Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) reported that the Greek merchant fleet (vessels of 100 gross tonnage and above) totalled 1,870 ships in February 2026, compared with 1,836 in February 2025 and 1,820 in February 2024. Total gross tonnage reached 35,015,863 GT, against 35,617,513 GT a year earlier and 36,405,176 GT in February 2024.
By vessel category, tankers represented the largest tonnage segment with 408 units totalling 24,331,440 GT. Cargo ships stood at 353 units with a capacity of 9,324,784 GT, while passenger ships increased to 822 units with 1,212,340 GT and other vessel types reached 287 ships with 147,299 GT. The continued rise in passenger units mirrors capacity additions on Aegean and Adriatic tourism routes.
By size band, vessels in the 0-500 GT segment accounted for 937 ships (229,786 GT). The 500-3,000 GT category included 356 vessels, the 3,000-5,000 GT range 79 vessels, and the 5,000-10,000 GT band 24 vessels. The 10,000-20,000 GT category included 49 vessels and the 20,000-30,000 GT range 52 vessels. The fleet's weight remained anchored in the above-30,000 GT tier, with 373 vessels accounting for 31.72 million GT, the bulk of carrying capacity.
The data highlight a steady expansion in vessel count, while overall tonnage reflects a gradual rebalancing across fleet segments. Greek owners' growing pivot toward younger, more numerous newbuilds with comparatively lower individual GT contributes to the trend.
The pattern signals that the Greek fleet retains its weight in the global maritime supply chain, but successive rounds of recycling and divestment in the largest tanker and bulker segments could reset the tonnage trajectory in the coming quarters.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Greek merchant fleet rose to 1,870 vessels in February 2026, up from 1,836 a year earlier.
2. Total gross tonnage held at 35.02 million GT, down roughly 600,000 GT from 35.62 million GT in February 2025.
3. Tankers remain the largest tonnage segment with 408 units totalling 24.33 million GT.
4. Passenger-vessel count expanded to 822 units, in line with capacity growth on Aegean and Adriatic tourism routes.
5. The fleet's weight stays anchored in the above-30,000 GT tier, where 373 large vessels account for 31.72 million GT.
