ΔΕΙΤΕ ΠΡΩΤΟΙ ΟΛΑ ΤΑ ΝΕΑ ΤΟΥ TRIBUNE ΣΤΟ GOOGLE NEWS 
Shipping connects global trade, energy and diplomacy
At a time of war, rising tensions and shifting economic balances, partnerships between countries that share a strategic vision matter more than ever.
The relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Greece is a clear example.
The UAE–Greece Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement reflects trust, economic cooperation and a shared commitment to stability, particularly in energy, trade and maritime transport.
This message is even more relevant today amid developments in the Middle East, including around the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian aggression.
The ongoing war due to the terrorist unprovoked Iranian attacks in the region has once again demonstrated how closely security and trade are interconnected, while also highlighting how Iran leverages the unlawful threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, in violation of freedom of navigation, as a geopolitical lever on global energy markets and the broader economy.
As tensions escalate, the effects are immediate: shipping routes are disrupted, insurance costs rise, energy prices react and global supply chains come under pressure.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most critical passages in the global economy, linking the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, and connecting major energy producers and global markets.
It carries approximately 25 percent of global oil supplies, around 25 percent of liquefied natural gas, about 30 percent of global fertilizer flows, and up to 70 percent of the world’s petrochemical materials, alongside significant volumes of industrial metals.
Its strategic importance lies in its role as a vital maritime chokepoint on global trade routes, Greece’s shipping interests, and Europe’s wider integration into global maritime commerce. Any disruption would impact not only the region, but also Europe, Asia, and the global economy as a whole.
This is where the UAE plays a decisive role. Beyond being a globally significant energy producer, the UAE recognizes the strategic importance of maintaining open, secure and reliable trade routes.
The UAE’s proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, world-class port infrastructure, advanced logistics capabilities, and role as a global business hub make it a key pillar of international trade.
The UAE’s position is clear: maritime routes must remain open, safe and free from disruption. The Strait of Hormuz is not a regional issue, but a global one, where any threat carries consequences for energy security, food supply, shipping, investment and global economic stability.
In light of its critical importance, there is broad international consensus that freedom of navigation in the Strait must be preserved, and that Iran must immediately cease its terrorist threats, mine-laying, and drone and missile attacks, as well as any attempt to disrupt commercial shipping, in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817.
A resolution supported by over 100 states at the Human Rights Council has further reinforced this position, calling upon Iran to provide full, effective, and prompt reparations to victims, including those affected by attacks on energy systems and essential services.
This forms part of a broader and unequivocal international response. The International Maritime Organization has likewise condemned threats to maritime security and underscored the imperative of preserving freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Against this backdrop, the UAE stands ready to support collective international efforts to safeguard maritime security and ensure the uninterrupted flow of global commerce.
Over 179 countries and international organizations have condemned these terrorist attacks and expressed solidarity with the UAE.
The UAE particularly values the principled stance of strategic partners such as Greece, reflected in the recent meeting between His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, and His Excellency Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece, which reaffirmed Greece’s solidarity with the UAE and the shared commitment of both countries to addressing regional developments and reinforcing stability.
This builds on continued close coordination between the two countries, including recent engagement between His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and His Excellency Nikos Dendias, Minister of National Defence of Greece.
The UAE continues to emphasize the importance of clear positions and trusted partnerships in navigating this moment.
Maritime transport remains the backbone of international trade, with around 90 percent of global trade moving by sea.
Within this system, Greece stands as a major player in the global economy, relative to its size, largely due to its shipping sector.
The Greek-owned fleet is the largest in the world, accounting for about 20 percent of global shipping capacity and around 60 percent of the EU fleet.
Greek shipowners control roughly 16–20 percent of global deadweight tonnage and more than 30 percent of the world’s tanker fleet, placing Greece at the forefront of global maritime nations.
These figures translate into real influence. Greek vessels transport energy, raw materials and food across continents, ensuring continuity in global trade even during periods of crisis.
While exposure to geopolitical risks is high, Greek shipping is also essential in keeping supply chains functioning.
It contributes around 7–8 percent of Greece’s GDP and generates significant foreign currency inflows, but its importance extends far beyond national figures: it is part of the global stability system.
It is at this point that the strategic alignment between Greece and the UAE becomes clear. Greece is a maritime power that moves international trade, while the UAE is a critical hub facilitating global trade flows between Europe, Asia and Africa. Both depend on open sea routes, both understand that trade requires security, and both support stability without turning trade into a tool of political pressure.
Recent developments around the Strait of Hormuz underline the necessity of cooperation. Any threat to this passage has immediate global consequences. Energy markets react first, but the impact quickly spreads to transport costs, food prices, inflation, industrial production and consumers. To stabilize these risks, coordination is essential.
Together, the UAE and Greece reinforce a clear message: sea routes must remain open, international trade must be protected, and global economic stability must not be held hostage to geopolitical tensions.
