Swedish Shipowners are hoping for a review regarding the tonnage tax. The Swedish Shipowners hope that changes in the tonnage tax could end up boosting the country’s flagging industry.
They believe that current tonnage tax system must be adjusted in order to strengthen the competitive conditions for Swedish shipping companies.
In order to be able to compete with the same conditions that apply in other shipping nations within the EU is absolutely crucial for us, said the top management of Swedish Shipowners, chief executive Anders Hermansson.
Today, Swedish shipping is a competitive industry but with unfavourable framework conditions.
However, major European projects are being established and Swedish funding is increasing so that the total framework for funding research, innovation and demonstration projects in the maritime transport system now amounts to about SEK 1,200 million per year.
The objective of the EU is to have reduced the emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050 by 80-95% compared with the levels in 1990. Sweden’s long-term vision is to have zero net emissions of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere by 2050.
Meanwhile, Swiss Shipowners Association has also expressed the opinion that there should be a link between the tonnage tax and the Swiss flag in order to maintain the flag and increase its influence on international bodies.
Trade union Nautilus International has made a joint statement with Swiss shipowners urging the Swiss government to save the Swiss flag.
They reject the Swiss government’s current proposed draft framework for shipping which misses the opportunity to ensure ships register under the flag.
The trade union claims that the number of ocean-going vessels flying the Swiss flag has been dwindling for years.
At present, only 14 ships are still part of the Swiss fleet. After the expiry of the respective guarantee granted by the Confederation for each ship under the now abolished guarantee system, these 14 ships will also leave Switzerland in the next two to five years.
“This will seal the end of the Swiss flag,” the union highlights characteristically.
