Pressemitteilung: European shipping key for Europe’s security with 34.5% of global fleet, study finds / Ahead of an event at the European Parliament on the strategic role of European Shipping to Europe’s security and competitiveness, European Shipowners release today a study on the economic value of European shipping. European shipping represents a geopolitical asset for Europe facilitating the export and import of goods, food and energy, the study finds. While the EU represents around 15% of the global GDP, the European shipping fleet is one of the largest in the world, representing around 34.5% of the world fleet in terms of global tonnage across all segments. European shipping controls 28% of the world’s bulk carriers, 45% of container ships, 34% of tankers and 32% of LNG carriers, making it a leading force in global trade. Main findings of the study European Shipping’s share of the global fleet • European shipping represents 34.5% of the global fleet, and the European fleet is growing every year. The fleet grew by 2.6% in 2025, the highest year-on-year increase in the past five years. • While European shipping remains a powerhouse in the global supply chains and the European fleet is growing, the fleets of other countries are growing faster. • The harsh competition European shipping faces globally makes international regulations and a level playing field more necessary than ever. (....)