Page 92 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - SEPT 2025

Annual research

Tankers Table 8 Distribution of the tanker fleet by vessel size
As with bulk carriers, the large number of tankers allows for a for the period 2023-2025
more detailed analysis of the fleet based on vessel size. Source: Analysis of data sourced by Greek Shipping Publications
Of the 1,582 tankers managed by ship management compa-
nies in Piraeus and Athens, 14% (220) are Small Tankers, 6% 2025 2024 2023
(92) are Handysizes, 22% (351) are MRs, 8% (125) are Pana-
maxes/LR1s, 19% (297) are Aframaxes/LR2s, 17% (284) are
Suezmaxes, and 14% (213) are VLCCs. This distribution, which Small
has undergone marginal and gradual changes in recent years,
reflects the focus of Greek shipowners on oil tankers, especially
those of larger size. 52% of the fleet consists of tankers with Tankers
a capacity of 120,000 DWT and above.
It is worth noting that the tanker fleet has decreased by almost
100 vessels compared to the corresponding 2023 research. 14% (220) 13% (210) 13% (213)
In previous years, Greek shipowners took advantage of the
higher tanker values on the second-hand market by selling
ships and ordering newbuildings. Consequently, the number Handysize
of tankers is expected to increase in the coming years.
The distribution of the tanker fleet by company size based
on vessel size reveals notable differences in the management 6% (92) 5% (80) 3% (63)
profiles of different-sized companies. 11% of the fleet (168
vessels) is under the management of small-sized companies,
29% (467 vessels) is managed by medium-sized companies, MR
and 60% (947 vessels) is managed by large-sized companies.
As in the case of bulk carriers, tankers of small size play a sig-
nificant role in the fleet of small-sized companies, with 34% 22% (351) 24% (391) 23% (379)
of the tankers they manage being Small Tankers.
Further significant differences compared to the total tanker
fleet are recorded for Suezmaxes and VLCCs. Of the tankers Panamax/
managed by small-sized companies, 3% are Suezmaxes, and
5% are VLCCs, with the respective percentages for the total
fleet amounting to 17% and 14%, respectively. LR1
In recent years, small-sized companies have increasingly
focused on smaller tankers: the percentage of Aframaxes has
declined from 19% in 2023 to 17% in 2025, Suezmaxes from 8% (125) 8% (133) 9% (157)
8% to 3%, and VLCCs from 8% to 5%. As in the case of bulk
carriers, managing larger vessels presents growing challenges,
which become more pronounced over time. Aframax/
Moving on to medium-sized companies, the most significant
types of tankers in their fleet are Small Tankers and MR tankers,
each accounting for 26%. The percentages of Aframaxes, LR2
Suezmaxes, and VLCCs in medium-sized companies stand
at 14%, 14%, and 3%, respectively, lower than their percentage
in the total fleet. 19% (297) 19% (309) 21% (350)
Compared to previous years, two significant differences are
reported: the percentage of Small Tankers has increased from
20% in 2023 to 26% in 2025, while the percentage of MR tank- Suezmax
ers has declined from 30% in 2023 and 2024 to 26% in 2025.
Large-sized companies are heavily focused on larger ves-
sels, with 22% of their fleets consisting of Aframaxes/LR2s, 17% (284) 17% (275) 17% (276)
23% of Suezmaxes, and 20% of VLCCs. In contrast, only 4%
of their fleet consists of Small Tankers. For the remaining vessel
sizes, there are no significant deviations from the distribution VLCC
observed in the total tanker fleet.
Additionally, there have been no significant changes in the
fleet distribution of large-sized companies over the past three 14% (213) 14% (224) 14% (232)
years for any vessel size.

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