Events

17.05.2024

55th session of the Financial Commission

On the occasion of holding the Financial Commission of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum, the members, president and director of the Association met at a regular meeting on May 16, 2024 in Zagreb.

All current topics in the field of shipping financing were discussed, of which in particular:

- the accession of the Republic of Croatia to the OECD and the impact of the OECD Global Anti-Base Erosion Model Rules (Pillar II) and Directive (EU) 2022/2523 on the national tonnage tax system

- the work of the EU Council on the Proposal of the new Energy Taxation Directive and its possible impact on the price of fuel

- the double taxation problem in Argentina and India and

- methods of shipping financing.

It was concluded that the national tonnage tax system should be kept in force and that all the provisions of the Pillar II system as well as Directive 2022/2523 should be interpreted in accordance with the existing legislation and the EU acquis.

In relation to the Energy Taxation Directive, which was successfully blocked for the second time within the competent EU Council, it should be pointed out that decarbonization should not be carried out at all costs, but only after an examination of the impact of the effects of such a regulation, as well as compliance with other international law sources that guarantee "tax -free" fuel at the international level (Kyoto Convention). In this sense, the cooperation of the Republic of Croatia with Mediterranean countries with a strong maritime tradition is crucial in order to jointly continue to vocalize our views and preserve the competitiveness of EU shipping companies in relation to entrepreneurs from third countries. Shipping is an industry with a pronounced international orientation, and therefore the introduction of strict measures and the sudden abolition of excise duty exemptions on propellant fuels, which would only apply to EU shippers, may result in the transfer of fuel procurement to third countries and ultimately delay the decarbonization process.

In relation to double taxation of income, the Financial Commission discussed the problem of double taxation of freight income for which Croatian shipping companies, as tax residents in the Republic of Croatia, already calculate and pay tax per tonnage. Croatian shipping companies that carry out international transport of goods, in addition to the usual challenges posed by international trade, great competition on the market and the challenge of maintaining business profitability in these unpredictable times, are faced with the problem of double payment of taxes on the same basis - freight income generated in two countries that are significant for world trade - to Argentina and India, while other shipping companies based in other member states of the European Union are exempt from this obligation. Namely, the Republic of Croatia has concluded a bilateral agreement on the avoidance of double taxation with India, which is not implemented, while the problem of avoiding double taxation with Argentina lies in the lack of succession of regulations that were in force during the SFRY. As a result of the above, HUB Mare Nostrum will continue communication with the relevant institutions and believes that in close cooperation with them, they will be able to solve this issue.

Ultimately, regarding the issue of shipping financing, the Financial Commission points out that the current situation on the European market for banking services is favorable, but also that shipping is the economic branch that first feels the impact of geopolitical changes in its business, as well as the effects of pandemics and the state of war for which suggest that shipowners have secured preventive sources of financing. The specifics of financing new construction were also discussed, and in this sense, the members exchanged the best experiences and practices. Cooperation with related associations gathered under the aegis of ECSA continues in order to analyze in detail all tools and sources of financing and facilitate access to EU funds. In this spirit, the Financial Commission concluded with the topic of the current elections for the EU parliament, which were concluded to be important precisely because of the need for strong representation of the interests of the Croatian maritime sector, shipping and seafarers at the EU level, which together form one of the most profitable industries in the Republic of Croatia.

09.05.2024

Europe Day

As Europe Day is celebrated on May 9, on this day we are proud that Mare Nostrum, as part of the European Community Shipowners' Association (ECSA), works on strengthening its cooperation with other EU member states through involvement in EU maritime policies.

Shipping is the cornerstone of European security, from energy to supply chain security. Shipping plays a key role in delivering the goods we need, supporting European Union exports and connecting European citizens within Europe and with the rest of the World.

Happy Europe Day to our partners all around Europe!

06.05.2024

125th Session of the HUB Mare Nostrum Assembly: Expectations for Shipping Sector in the Coming Period

The 125th session of the Assembly of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum was held in the premises of Jadrolinija, Rijeka on 3 May 2024.

Alongside with the Association's members and its Directorate, Ms Antonia Bebić, maritime attaché from the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union also participated in the session's work presenting us ongoing legislative work and all of the maritime related topics that are currently being discussed within the EU institutions as well as under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

As all European, including Croatian shipping sector stakeholders are facing all sorts of new administrative, financial and technical burdens alongside green transition requirements  (such as EU ETS, FuelEU Maritime, Energy Taxation Directive, Renewable Energy Directive, etc.), we concluded that it is of utmost importance for Croatia to prepare a national maritime strategy with clear guidelines regarding the types of alternative fuels with zero or low carbon of their preference and infrastructure preparation plan for such purposes. This strategy would serve as a certain pathway for our Association's members decarbonization plans and as a basis for easier application for EU funding which we will strongly advocate for in the coming period.

All topics regarding coastal liner shipping in Croatia were discussed with Ms Paula Vidović, Director of the Coastal Liner Shipping Agency.

During this meeting our Director Ms Ivona Anić Miklec also presented the work of Association during the first part of this year emphasizing the importance of intensifying bilateral cooperation with related associations from other countries and the need to develop a clear "maritime block" with EU members countries of similar interests all for the purpose of strengthening our position in front of EU and IMO legislators.

President of the Assembly, Mr. Marko Domijan, announced that one of next year's ECSA's Board of Directors meeting will be held for the first time in our country, in Dubrovnik. The Association plans to use this opportunity to promote all of its members.

As a result of all the above, some of the discussed agenda items of this Session were as follows:

- EU Emission Trading System (EU ETS) – news

- unfair practices during the implementation of EU sanctions packages towards Russia - experiences of the members of the Association and further steps

- operation Aspides in the Red Sea

- amendments to the Coastal Maritime Liner Shipping Act - Association's proposals

- EU framework latest amendments

- International Maritime Organization (IMO) - current discussions

- municipal waste (solid and liquid) - comparison of Croatian and Italian tariffs.

Finally, we would like to once again thank our host Jadrolinija for its hospitality and announce that the next Assembly session will be organised at the headquarters of Rapska plovidba d.d., on the beautiful island of Rab.

25.04.2024

11th Career Day of the Maritime Faculty in Rijeka

Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum participated with its member at the 11th Career Day of the Maritime Faculty in Rijeka.

Members of Mare Nostrum and the Association itself used this opportunity to present their businesses and offer students professional practice and a discussion about employment conditions. The students also had the opportunity to hear about the shipbuilding project of a new electric-powered ferry of Rapska plovidba d.d. as well as numerous other plans of other members of the Association.

Director of the Association, Mrs. Ivona Anić Miklec also held a Lecture about the seafarers as driving power of future shipping and once again emphasized the Association's commitment to the development of quality and competitive shipping, for which an educated, professional, creative and reliable maritime staff is a key prerequisite.

12.04.2024

75th anniversary of the Maritime Faculty in Rijeka

We congratulate the Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Rijeka for 75 years of activity, which has rightly placed it at the very top of the higher education institutions that educate personnel in the maritime field in the Republic of Croatia.

As potential future employers of students of this Faculty, members of Mare Nostrum closely monitor the progress and development of all study programs at the Faculty.

Seafarers are our driving force, so we thank the Maritime Faculty in Rijeka for 75 years of continuous education and training of new maritime personnel who form the core and an indispensable prerequisite for the future development of a strong and competitive shipping industry in the Republic of Croatia.