Brussels, 04/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 3 October, the European Commission said it had asked Greece for information as part of an investigation into the levying of a flat rate fee per ton on cargo carried by the country's ship-owners.
The levy applies to shipping companies, is calculated on tonnage and has given Greek ship-owners tax incentives since 1953 by removing them from company tax. Moreover, it is currently not possible to find out how much income the levy raises for the state. It is therefore being investigated by DG Competition at the European Commission, which, however, denies rumours in Greek newspapers that it is carrying out its investigation because of German ship-owners who claim they are being discriminated against. The Commission's competition department said that the investigation was not an isolated measure focussing on Greece, but part of a wider Commission investigation to ensure the Commission's competition guidelines for shipping are respected across Europe. Greece has until 30 October this year to respond, but may request more time to gather the required information.
The special treatment of Greek ship-owners is severely criticised in both Greece and elsewhere because for the past six years, the country has been facing a vicious economic recession, but ship-owners refuse to pay tax, despite repeated calls from the government for them to support the country financially. (FG/transl.fl)