Shipowners might ditch European flags thanks to Brussels insistence on uncompetitive rules, the president of the Union of Greek Shipowners has warned.
Theodoros Veniamis, speaking ahead of Posidonia, the giant Greek maritime exhibition which launches in a fortnight, warned that “misguided policies” of the European Commission could cause “a flight, not only of the Greek-owned fleet, but also of the wider European fleet, outside the European Union with relocation to more welcoming international shipping centers”.
Greek owners have been in a long running fight with the European Commission over the nation’s tonnage tax regime.
Despite the tricky conditions shipping is facing Veniamis revealed that this year’s Posidonia is set to be a record event. Splash will be reporting from the event, while sister publication Maritime CEO launched today and will be distributed at the event. The 50-page magazine provides a unique guide to the show, and looks at what the likely talking points will be at Posidonia. Readers can access it for free by clicking here.
