Greek shipowner Evangelos Marinakis said on social media on Tuesday he has contracted coronavirus, making him the most high-profile shipping victim of the disease.

The "well-known virus has paid me a visit and I felt obliged to let the public know", the 52-year said in an Instagram post.

Evangelos Marinakis said he was 'visited' by the coronavirus. Photo: Instagram

The message was confirmed by a spokesman at the Capital group of companies that he controls.