Greek-controlled ship capacity rises to record
Shipping capacity controlled by Greek companies rose to a record on increased ownership of container ships and natural gas carriers, according to the Greek Shipping Cooperation Committee.
Greek-controlled companies owned 3,760 vessels with a combined capacity of 264 million deadweight tons as of March 2, the group said in an e-mailed statement giving its annual outline of the fleet.
That compares with 261.7 million tons a year earlier.
Forty-four container ships and 11 liquefied natural gas tankers joined the Greek-controlled fleet during the period covered by the survey, according to the committee.
Its figures include new vessels on order.
Ownership shares fell for tankers that carry chemicals and oil products as well as dry-bulk vessels, according to the committee.
Greek companies control 22 percent of the oil tanker fleet and 16 percent of dry-bulk ships that transport minerals and grains, the committee?s figures showed.
The Greek fleet?s average age has dropped to 10.5 years from 20.3 years in 2000, said the committee, which represents shipowners based in the country, according to its website.
[Bloomberg]
