The first documented sea freight in Greek history took place in 8000 BC from Milos Island to the Peloponnese in South Greece.
In June this year, like every second year, Greece pays tribute to its 10,000 year-old shipping tradition through the Posidonia Exhibition, the world’s biggest and most well attended event in commercial shipping.
With a newbuilding order book of 21 MGRT at the end of 2005, Greek owners are continuing to invest massively in new ships, thus bringing the average ‘compensated’ age of the Greek fleet down to 11.7 years, compared to 17.6 years in 2000.
A total investment of USD 36 bn brought Greece foreign exchange earnings of Euro 14 bn, surpassing tourism as the main contributor to the national coffers.
DNV has won more than its fair share of the Greek newbuilding orders – more than 30% of all the newbuilding orders placed in 2005 – and thus had a bigger increase in classified tonnage than any of its competitors, adding 2 MGRT to DNV’s fleet last year.
This is in recognition of the quality services offered by DNV and is remarkable progress for a class society that only 30 years ago had no newbuildings with Greek owners.