THE SEA UNITES

The Greek Shipping and the German Economic Miracles

The exhibition “The Sea Unites – The Greek Shipping and the German Economic Miracle” highlights an important aspect of post-war European history: the cooperation between Greek shipowners and German shipyards that contributed to the reconstruction of two economies after the Second World War.

During the war, the German shipbuilding industry was almost completely destroyed, while Greek shipowners lost three quarters of their merchant fleet. In the 1950s, the need for reconstruction led to bold initiatives and new partnerships. Greek shipowners, having already invested in the acquisition and operation of more than 300 Liberty ships, soon turned to ordering new vessels from shipyards around the world, including those in West Germany.

A pioneer of this cooperation was Aristotle Onassis, who worked with German shipbuilders even before the ban on ship construction in the country was lifted in 1952. These shipbuilding orders played a crucial role in revitalizing the heavy industry and mining sectors in the Ruhr region, becoming an important catalyst for the so-called “German Economic Miracle.”

Over a period of fifty years, more than 160 ships were built for Greek shipowners in West German shipyards, while from 1971 onwards the cooperation expanded to shipyards in East Germany. The Greek shipping miracle and the German economic miracle represent a remarkable example of European cooperation, demonstrating how maritime activity can serve as a bridge between nations: the sea unites.

The exhibition is co-organized by the non-profit organization NAVIRA and the International Maritime Museum Hamburg.

The exhibition takes place at the War Museum of Athens.

The opening took place on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, by H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Konstantinos An. Tasoulas.

Exhibition Period:
5 February – 3 April 2026

Opening Hours:
Daily: 09:00 – 17:00 (including public holidays)

Admission is free