Hellenic owners have adopted a wait and see approach in the past few weeks, particularly since the referendum was called in late June, it is claimed.
Greeks are comfortably the largest buyers of second hand tonnage this year, with 160 vessels purchased in the first half of 2015, data from Intermodal shows. Chinese owners, in second place, have bought 52 ships over the period.
While major Greek owners are not thought to have been impaired financially by the present situation, the escalating crisis has led to a change of psychology, a source suggests.
“We are definitely seeing that [less Greek activity],” a second broker said, while adding the start of the summer holiday season is also influencing market activity.
Since the referendum was called in the early hours of 27 June, only three tankers have been confirmed bought by Greek owners, the data shows.
Avin Marine has bought a suezmax and Minerva and Moundreas have added aframaxes.
Activity has only been slightly higher on the bulker side, with five ships, including two for one owner, secured by Greek buyers.
George Procopiou has added two vessels, while Moundreas, Minoan and DND Management have taken one each, Intermodal data shows.
