RIVISTA DI DIRITTO TRIBUTARIO INTERNAZIONALE - Rdti.it

Se:::.ione l - Dottrina
The outcome of these processes in terms of world fleet are summarised
in figure 2. From 1980 to 2000 the fleet in OECD countries' registries
has reduced from 51 % to 27%, that in open registries from 25% to
48%. At European leve!, phenomenon of fleet re!ocation is even more
marked: in spite of the suppor! measures adopted in recent years, over
60% of the fleet controlled by Community shipowners is now registered
in open registries (figure 3).
Source: ECSA (200la)
Pie chart 3: Composition. by register. of the European controlled Deet
A crucial element has been the great labour costs differential among
the various countries (figure 4) and the possibility, through the enrolment
in open registries. to avoid the striet manning obligations conceming seafarers'
nationality and composition imposed by many traditionally maritime
countries.
As far as employment is concerned, on one side there has been a drop
in the demand of "high wage" seafarers, on the other side, a considerable
decline in the supply of work force in traditionally maritime countnes (11)
(11) Among the factors underlying the growing disinterest of young people for a
career al sea is the lack of financial and social advantages it offers with respecl to JX)sts
on shore. Young people are increasingly less inclined lo spending long periods at sea.
far from their families. children and friends. The chance to explore the world and visit
new countries no longer holds many channs. one reason being that ships remain in
JX)rts less and less, owing to the new techniques of loading and unloading of goods; their
commercial activity, in some cases, is canied out directly from outside the JX)rt. Moreover,
crews on modem ships are increasingly being reduced and fonned by members of-
RIVISTA DI DlRITID TRlWfARIO IN1ERNAZIOSALE 3'"001