Commercial Shipping Under Fire: When Trade Becomes a Target of Geopolitical Tensions

Commercial shipping — a cornerstone of global economic continuity and stability — has increasingly become a focal point of warfare and hybrid threats, according to statements yesterday by Melina Travlou, President of the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping (EENe).

Ms. Travlou expressed deep concern over targeted attacks on commercial vessels, which are entirely unrelated to military ships or national armed conflicts.

“Once again, commercial shipping, ships, and above all, our seafarers are unfairly at the center of warlike and asymmetric attacks,” she emphasized, adding that such actions pose an immediate threat to seafarers’ lives and the safety of global navigation.

A peaceful domain, not a battlefield

Ms. Travlou stressed that commercial vessels are not arenas of military conflict nor “tools of pressure” in international politics.“The targeting of commercial ships of Greek and European ownership… exceeds all bounds of logic, law, and political consistency,” she noted, pointing out that such practices directly undermine the European Union’s standing in international relations.

Commercial ships conduct lawful activities supporting import trade and the EU supply chain, transporting goods, energy, and raw materials vital to economies and societies worldwide.

Protecting seafarers and free navigation

The EENe president highlighted that seafarers are civilians, risking separation from their families to ensure the operation of global trade, energy security, and food safety.

In this context, Ms. Travlou called for immediate, coordinated, and decisive EU intervention to protect shipping, its personnel, and the strategic role it plays in the European economy.

“Protecting seafarers and free navigation is not optional — it is a fundamental European and international obligation,” she stated.

Geopolitical risk and economic consequences

Ms. Travlou’s concern comes amid recent developments showing that shipping — especially Greek-owned fleets — has been under pressure due to regional instability. Reports from international agencies note drone attacks on tankers in the Black Sea, prompting stricter security directives for vessels and rising war insurance premiums for transits in vulnerable regions.

The repercussions of such risks extend beyond shipping: war, hybrid threats, and attacks on commercial routes can strain maritime markets, transportation costs, insurance premiums, and the global supply chain. This highlights the urgent need for cooperation among political, European, and international actors to safeguard maritime trade.

Towards a unified European protection plan As geopolitical uncertainty grows, Ms. Travlou’s statement is a strong call to action. Commercial shipping is not merely an economic activity — it is a pillar of global peace, economic stability, and international cooperation.

The challenge is clear: to ensure that no geopolitical argument is used to jeopardize free trade and human life at sea.