Greek shipowners continued the expansion of their newbuilding program in November, with the bulk carrier market emerging as a leading player.
According to the new monthly report by Xclusiv Shipbrokers, the Greek orderbook amounted to 693 ships, compared to 651 in October, recording an increase of 0.53% in terms of total number of ships.
At a time when the global order book stands at 4,425 ships, the Greek presence now accounts for 15.6% of the total, up from 15.07% the previous month.
This reinforcement is particularly important, as it comes at a time when most major shipping players appear more conservative.
The Greeks, on the contrary, are methodically increasing their exposure to strategic segments, anticipating strong demand in the coming years and taking advantage of better prices at shipyards, as the relevant data shows.
Return to bulkers
During the past month, the greatest activity was located in bulk carriers, where Greek shipowners have 162 ships under construction, compared to 156 the previous month. This corresponds to approximately 12% of the global orderbook.
It is recalled that a completely “sterile” first nine months of 2025 preceded it, when for the first time in decades no new orders for cargo ships were recorded from companies with Greek interests.
The composition of orders in the sector shows a clear strategy, as 62% of Greek orders for bulkers concern the panamax, kamsarmax and postpanamax categories (100 ships).
This is followed by handymax, supramax and ultramax with 24% (39 ships), Capesize/VLOC with 7% (11 ships) and handysize with 7% (12 ships).
The emphasis on kamsarmax and post-panamax reflects the shift to more efficient and greener units, which are expected to adapt more easily to new fuel systems and environmental requirements.
As noted, the global orderbook for dry bulk carriers amounts to 11% of the active fleet in dwt, compared to 10.2% in the corresponding period of 2024, with 281 new ships ordered within the year.
At the same time, the average age of the global bulker fleet stands at 12.4 years, with almost 28% being over 16 years old.
Tanker leadership
In tankers, the Greeks maintain their leadership, with 302 tankers under construction, a percentage corresponding to 24% of the global orderbook.
A particularly strong presence is found in large sizes, and more specifically in Suezmax (88 ships), Aframax/LR2 (65 ships) and VLCC (29 ships).
At the same time, the MR2 segment shows remarkable dynamics with 52 orders, as the Greeks continue to invest in product ships, taking advantage of the demand-supply imbalance.
At a global level, the tanker orderbook now corresponds to 16.7% of the global fleet in DWT, compared to 13.7% last year, with 258 new ships ordered in 2025.
Containerships
As for the containership market, Greek orders amount to 126 containerships, corresponding to approximately 11% of the international total.
In October, there were 111 “blue and white” ships under construction, representing approximately 10% of the global orderbook.
Based on the data, the distribution shows a clear focus: Feeder: 48 ships – 38%, NeoPanamax: 48 ships – 38%, Handy: 23 ships – 18% and Panamax: 7 ships – 6%.
The shift to neo-panamax reflects the stable demand on Asia-US and Asia-Europe routes, as well as the need to renew the Greek container fleet.
According to Xclusiv, the global containership orderbook now stands at 33.2% of the active fleet in TEU, compared to 25.8% in the corresponding period of 2024, with 548 new ships ordered in 2025 alone.
The average age of the global containership fleet is 13.8 years, with almost 46% being over 16 years old, which reinforces the renewal dynamic.
At the same time, the orderbook to fleet ratio for containerships stands at 16.6% in number of ships, indicating one of the highest renewal rates among all segments.
Dynamic presence of LNG and LPG carriers
Significant activity is also recorded in LNG carriers, where Greek orders reach 57 ships (18% of the global orderbook).
The majority concerns the 141,000-200,000 m3 class units with 51 ships and 16,000-100,000 m3 with 6 ships.
These orders reflect Greece’s consolidation in the fastest growing sector of global shipping, especially with the strong demand for spot and bilateral LNG contracts.
Steady growth is also recorded in LPG carriers, a category where Greek shipowners have 46 ships under construction (15% of the total).
The obvious preference is reflected in VLGCs (Very Large Gas Carriers) with 21 ships, followed by MGCs with 10 ships and Small LPG carriers with 11 units.
Source: Naftemporiki