THE world merchant fleet last year rose by 12.7 million gross tonnes to reach a record 80,665 ships, of 458 million gross tonnes, according to figures published by the Lloyd's Register (LR) of Shipping.
LR's World Fleet Statistics also show that Panama overtook Liberia as the world's largest shipping register.
Panama increased its fleet in terms of gross tonnage by 5.1 million gross tonnes (gt), or 9.8 per cent, to 57.6 million gt, including 5,564 ships.
Liberia's fleet fell by around two million gt, or 3.6 per cent, to 53.9 million gt in 1,611 ships.
Greece ranks as the third largest fleet in registration terms, standing at 29.1 million gt, followed by Japan, Cyprus, Bahamas and Norway.
Looking at the largest fleets in terms of owner nationality, Greece and Japan topped the list, accounting for 15 per cent and 13 per cent respectively of the world's cargo carrying fleet by deadweight tonnes (dwt).
