Greece and Saudi Arabia have called for the protection of international shipping routes and uninterrupted energy supplies, warning that attacks on critical infrastructure threaten global markets and supply stability. The warning came as Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Sunday.
The two leaders used the meeting to mark 100 years of diplomatic relations between Greece and Saudi Arabia, pledging to accelerate energy projects, expand investment and strengthen defence cooperation. The talks placed particular emphasis on safeguarding maritime trade corridors that link Gulf energy producers with European and Asian markets.
Riyadh Meeting Marks Centennial of Ties
The Riyadh meeting between Mitsotakis and Mohammed bin Salman took place as the two countries mark a century of formal diplomatic relations, a milestone both governments used to signal a deeper strategic partnership spanning energy, defence and trade. The warning came as Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Sunday, with the two countries also pledging to accelerate energy projects, expand investment and strengthen defence cooperation as they mark 100 years of diplomatic relations.
The two sides framed the anniversary as an opportunity to broaden cooperation beyond traditional energy trade, pointing to joint investment opportunities and closer coordination on regional security matters. Defence cooperation was raised explicitly as part of the agenda, alongside commitments to speed up ongoing energy infrastructure projects between the two countries.
Joint Warning on Maritime Security
At the centre of the Riyadh talks was a joint call for the protection of shipping lanes and stable energy flows, with both governments warning that disruptions to critical maritime infrastructure carry consequences well beyond the region. Greece and Saudi Arabia have called for the protection of international shipping routes and uninterrupted energy supplies, warning that attacks on critical infrastructure threaten global markets and supply stability.
The statement reflects continued concern among governments bordering major shipping corridors about the vulnerability of tankers and merchant vessels to regional conflict spillover. Gulf and Red Sea shipping lanes have faced repeated security pressures in recent years, prompting naval escort operations and rerouting by international carriers seeking to avoid higher-risk waters.
Greece’s Stake in Global Shipping Security
Greece’s interest in secure global shipping lanes is underpinned by the scale of its maritime industry. The Union of Greek Shipowners has released its 2025-2026 annual report, saying the Greek-owned fleet comprises more than 5,800 vessels and over 19% of global tonnage, according to the Union of Greek Shipowners, while UGS said Greek shipping accounts for 61% of the EU-controlled merchant fleet and remains a major contributor to global, European and Greek trade.
The sector’s economic weight at home reinforces why Athens has pushed for stronger protections for commercial shipping in international forums. UGS said Greek shipping directly and indirectly accounts for 7% to 8% of Greece’s GDP and supports about 200,000 jobs, a dependence that makes disruptions to global trade routes a direct economic concern for the Greek government as well as a strategic one.
Why it matters
As the world’s largest shipowning nation, Greece has a direct economic stake in the security of global shipping lanes, particularly those carrying Gulf energy supplies on which European markets depend. A joint statement with Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s largest oil exporters, signals coordinated diplomatic pressure to deter attacks on maritime infrastructure at a time when shipping routes near conflict zones remain under heightened risk. The centennial framing also points to deepening bilateral energy and defence ties that could shape future investment flows between the two countries’ shipping and energy sectors.
Source: Greek City Times
