The introduction of the ‘tonnage tax’ system, in which the tax amount is determined by fleet size, is commented on by the Croatian Seafarers’ Union for Lider, stating that it is inevitable with Croatia’s approach to the EU.
The system, which the Union has been monitoring for years, will be somewhat worse than the current one, says Union President Vladimir Svalina, because shipowners are currently exempt from corporate tax provided they invest in their business. Therefore, this will certainly indirectly affect seafarers, and the Union advocates that with the introduction of the ‘tonnage tax’, tax reliefs should be granted to shipowners sailing under the Croatian flag, employing Croatian seafarers, and those who have newer ships, i.e., those on which safety systems and other living and working conditions on board are at the highest level. – ‘Tonnage tax’ is also a very good opportunity for Croatia to attract foreign ships with large tonnage to sail under the Croatian flag – says Svalina. (Edis Felić)
