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A. S. Bergantino: Tonnage tax: the ltalian proposal and the European experiences
of mariti me activities in loco, set up 'open' registri es with the sole purpose
of attracting tonnage from other countries and becoming centres of
attraction far foreign capitaI. Extremely easy access to these registries -
requisites for registration are minimal - together with the particular advantages
offered to shipping companies in terms of operating and management
costs and in terms of tax outlay, have meant that since the 1970s,
the shipping companies of traditionally maritime countries - among
which European countries - have increasingly resorted to this option
(Bergantino-Marlow, 1998; Bergantino-O'Sullivan, 1999).
3. At the root of tonnage tax: the crisis of the maritime sector in Ìndustrialized
countries
The significant transformation that the maritime sector has been undergoing
since the beginning of the 70s, has led to an overall restructuring
of markets in the following years (Marchese, 1999; Bergantino, 1998,
Bergantino et al. 2000). The change has involved both the nature and
the location of the shipping industry.
The national character of the shipping industry has been losing momentum
in countries with a long-established mariti me tradition, while,
at the same time, the importance of third countries has been on the rise
in view of the cost advantages offered and of a political environment very
prone to developing a national maritime transport related industry and
to improving its efficiency (8). These countries, given the special characteristics
of the sector, come out to be highly competitive in terms of tax,
labour and regulatory burden.
- Open registries have been the tool which has contributed the most
to the intemationalisation process of the maritime sector. Charges connected
with the registration of ships, the conditions and requisites under
which they operate - manning scales, composition, nationality and distribution
of crews between officers and ratings, seaworthiness, age, safety
and maintenance standards - and, lastly, the leve! of tax outlay, which
is normally nil, have played a crucial role in making these registries particularly
attractive.
A main feature of the world shipping industry - true also of other industries
which similarly relocate their productive activities - is the easi­
Iy achieved re!ocation of capitai and productive units. Referring back to
(8) On the impact in tenns of welfare and efficiency of the advent of open registries
and flags of convenience, see Bergantino-O'Sullivan (1999).
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