Economic woes at home and abroad have failed to slow the growth of the Greek controlled fleet and today its carrying capacity is larger than ever and seems to be growing.

Two of Greece’s better-known names have again been in the headlines as they struggle to come to grips with the declining freight market and the impact it is having on global shipping share prices.

International Maritime Rescue Federation (IMRF), a global Search and Rescue (SAR) charity, is to bolster its local member body the Hellenic Rescue Team (HRT) with personnel and equipment from elsewhere in Europe.

Bulk specialist Diana Shipping of Greece has agreed to buy three secondhand panamax bulkers of between two and five years old for a combined total of $39.8m.

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) has warned of a further 48-hour strike by Greece’s Seamen’s Union, expected to affect cargo discharging operations for vessels calling at Piraeus, Aspropyrgos, Eleusis, Pachi and Megara ports.

A general strike in Greece has affected ferry and shipping traffic at the ports of Piraeus, Aspropyrgos, Eleusis, Pachi and Megara.

After waiting two years, Cosco Group (Hong Kong) has got its hands on the port of Piraeus.

Greek shipowners have slammed the renewed European Union (EU) attack on shipping tax claiming Commission moves would “seriously disrupt the shipping sector in the EU after 20 years of successful growth".

Greece is set to be hit a 48-hour strike that will impact, commercial vessels calling at major ports and domestic and local ferries.

China's Cosco Pacific has emerged as the only bidder for the Greek government's 67% stake up for sale in the Piraeus Port Authority (OLP).