In an environment of intense geopolitical developments and changing cargo flows, the port of Piraeus remains at the heart of global trade.
The gradual normalization of the passage of containerships through the Suez Canal creates conditions for the restoration of cargo and the strengthening of its role as a key transit hub in the Mediterranean.
In fact, the announcement by the Houthis to cease attacks, combined with the fact that no new incident has occurred for more than 100 days, has triggered talks about the possible return of ships that had changed routes.
However, despite the temporary downturn recorded in 2025, the port of Piraeus is still among the five strongest container terminals in Europe, maintaining high interconnectivity and a strategic advantage on the Asia-Europe route.
Dynamic cluster
The port operates as the core of a dynamically developing logistics, shipbuilding and international cargo handling cluster, with investments throughout the Greek port system further strengthening the country’s supply chain.
In fact, the Piraeus Container Terminal remains consistently among the 50 largest ports in the world, having demonstrated resilience even in the most intense
periods of international instability.
However, the latest available data reflect the pressures that the liner market continues to face.
According to COSCO Shipping Ports, container handling at Piraeus Piers II and III in 2025 amounted to 3.9 million TEUs, down 6% compared to 4.2 million TEUs in 2024.
The performance was also negative in December, with volume declining by 9.8% year-on-year, to 331 thousand TEUs.
Despite the cyclical downturn, the port administration estimates that 2026 will move upwards with Piraeus once again claiming a leading role on the map of international maritime transport, as global supply chains are redefined.
The evolution of cargoes at the largest port in the Mediterranean reflects the containment of goods transported in the Mediterranean and changes in routes, with the market closely monitoring the prospects for recovery in 2026 and the prospect of a gradual return of liners to the Suez Canal.
However, despite signs of relative de-escalation of tensions, the return of commercial shipping to the Red Sea remains fragile, as security concerns continue to influence the decisions of shipowners and managers.
According to data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence, transits through the Red Sea declined in December, after a particularly strong November.
Merchant ships made 1,102 transits through the Bab el Mandeb, while 998 trips were recorded through the Suez Canal, compared to 1,135 and 1,098, respectively, in the previous month.
However, as Risk Intelligence senior analyst Dirk Siebels pointed out, “there is interest, but no one wants to be the first,” as this implies taking on the greatest risk.
At a global level, the picture for COSCO Shipping Ports appears clearly more positive, confirming the group’s momentum despite individual pressures in specific ports.
Source: www.naftemporiki.gr
