55th session of the Financial Commission
17.05.2024
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.
Europe Day
09.05.2024
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!
125th Session of the HUB Mare Nostrum Assembly: Expectations for Shipping Sector in the Coming Period
06.05.2024
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.
11th Career Day of the Maritime Faculty in Rijeka
25.04.2024
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.
75th anniversary of the Maritime Faculty in Rijeka
12.04.2024
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.
Happy Easter!
29.03.2024
Happy Easter!
DG CLIMA and EMSA organized a webinar on the topic of EU ETS
19.03.2024
On March 18, 2024, the director of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum, together with other representatives of our Association, participated in a webinar organized by the Directorate General of the European Commission for Climate Policy (DG CLIMA) and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).
The webinar presented in detail all the prerequisites for achieving compliance with the obligations from the EU ETS system, and above all, the practical steps related to opening the so-called holding account (Maritime Operator Holding Account) in the Registry of the Union, the opening of which is a prerequisite for fulfilling obligations from the EU ETS system in order to deposit emission units on it. The members of Mare Nostrum, which are EU ETS bonds, submitted all the necessary documentation to the relevant authorities on time and within the open deadline.
Meeting of the Board of Directors of the European Community Shipowners' Association
08.03.2024
On March 5 and 6, 2024, a meeting of the Board of Directors of the European Community Shipowners' Association (ECSA) was held, attended by Mrs. Ivona Anić Miklec, director of HUB Mare Nostrum and Mr. Marko Domijan, president of the HUB Mare Nostrum Assembly.
Together with colleagues from 21 national associations of shipowners from EU member states and Norway, they discussed all current topics in the field of shipping as well as proposals for new EU legislative acts that are currently being discussed under the auspices of the EU Council and the European Parliament.
In the spirit of the upcoming elections at the EU level, the preparation of the European Commission's program for its new five-year mandate was imposed as a logical topic. In this sense, the representatives of Mare Nostrum emphasized that it is crucial that the European Commission works in the new period to maintain and further strengthen the competitiveness of European shipping companies in relation to competitors from third countries, especially bearing in mind the new administrative, technical and financial obligations that imposed on the sector in order to achieve the Union's ambitious goals in the area of reducing greenhouse gas emissions with the aim of making Europe the first climate-neutral continent in the world by 2050. Mare Nostrum advocates that a part of the money collected through the trading of emission units within the EU ETS system, be returned directly to the shipping sector and directed to the financing of the greening of the fleet. We believe that European shipowners will overcome all the challenges ahead of them in unity and synergy.
22nd Meeting of the Supervisory Board of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum
01.03.2024
Under the newly elected leadership of the Supervisory Board - Mr. Nikola Koščica from Tankerska plovidba d.d. and with the members of the Supervisory Board, Mr. Robert Banko from Alpha Adriatic d.d. and Mr. Vicenco Jerković from Atlantska plovidba d.d. as well as with the presence of Mr. Roman Balta, a long-time associate of the Accounting Association Biro Balta d.o.o. and the leadership of the Association, on February 29, 2024, the 22nd session of the Supervisory Board of HUB Mare Nostrum was held in the Association's premises.
The session was dedicated to the verification of the Association's financial and material operations during the past year, which was assessed as orderly, so the discussion continued in the direction of the upcoming obligations of the Association and the financial and material operations planned in 2024.
124th Session of the Assembly of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum
19.02.2024
On February 16, 2024, in the premises of the relevant Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, the 124th session of the Assembly of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum was held, the first session since the arrival of the new director in the Association.
The goal of the session was, after reviewing the work of the Association in the previous period, to adopt the Work Plan and Financial Plan for the work of the Association in 2024, as well as to discuss all current topics related to shipping and the work of the Association in general.
Following the above, the Association's plan in the coming period is to modernize some internal work processes, digitize the Association's work and introduce paperless operations, and in addition to the above, work on strengthening the Association's international identity and its cooperation with other related associations, primarily through strengthening the position of Mare Nostrum in the Association of European Community Shipowners (ECSA).
Today, Mare Nostrum has 10 members, among which are the largest shipping companies from the Republic of Croatia, which employ over 3,000 seafarers. In the challenging geopolitical circumstances in which the world finds itself today, as well as in the conditions of the green and digital transition of the entire EU economy, the main goal of the Association is to create economic and social conditions for the development of safe, competitive, quality and sustainable shipping by advocating for competitive employment conditions, safety of life and work on board, favorable financing conditions for the green transition and business in general.
Following the above, at the meeting of the Association, among other things, issues related to:
- EU Emission Trading System (EU ETS) - current affairs
- the situation in the Red Sea - attacks by the Hutts
- removal of municipal waste (solid and liquid) from ships in Croatian seaports - comparison of Croatian and Italian tariffs
- cooperation with the Croatian Association of Employers and the Croatian Chamber of Commerce
- tax per tonnage
- Rulebook on the conditions and manner of maintaining a watch, and performing other tasks on board that ensure safe navigation and protection of the sea from pollution
- Act on transportation in regular and occasional coastal maritime transport - new law and by-laws.
Mrs. Paula Vidović, director of the Agency for Coastal Liner Maritime Transport and representatives of the relevant Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure - Mrs. Marijana Iviček, head of the Sector for Maritime Economy and president of the Administrative Council of the Agency for Coastal Liner Maritime Transport, Mrs. Jana Borić, also took part in the session. head of the Legislation Service and Mr. Tomislav Budić, senior expert advisor for issues of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport from the Maritime Administration, who also gave a presentation to those present on the topic of Regulation (EU) 2023/1805 (Fuel EUMaritime) for which the Republic of Croatia in the obligation to ensure the prerequisites for its direct implementation, for which purpose the Ministry in question will establish a working group in which the participation of representatives of Mare Nostrum is also planned.
Workshop of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development for Shipping Companies
09.02.2024
On February 8, 2024, representatives of the members of our Association as well as the Director of the Association, Mrs. Ivona Anić Miklec, participated in another in a series of useful workshops organized by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development on the topic of introducing maritime transport into the greenhouse gas emissions trading system within the Union (EU ETS) as well as the obligations of monitoring and reporting on emissions from maritime traffic that are forthcoming based on Regulation (EU) 2023/957.
At the workshop, in an interactive form, all the obligations and prescribed deadlines for their fulfillment were presented to the shipowners in order to familiarize them with all the new obligations, the ultimate goal of which is the decarbonization of the maritime sector. Thank you to the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development for organizing this successful workshop!
Appointment of Ivona Anić Miklec as the director of the Croatian Shipowners' Association Mare Nostrum
02.01.2024
On January 1, 2024, Ms. Ivona Anić Miklec took over the position of director of the Croatian Association of Shipowners Mare Nostrum. Mrs. Anić Miklec has a master's degree in law with work experience in the private and state sectors, of which in recent years she worked as a department head in the Maritime Administration of the relevant Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, during which period she also held the position of president of the Board of Directors of the Agency for Coastal Line Maritime Transport . In this sense, through the previous multi-year cooperation with Croatian shipowners, she is familiar with the challenges of the shipping sector as well as the importance that this sector, as well as the entire maritime economy, have for the Croatian and European economy as a whole.
Under the leadership of the director, the association will continue to be a responsible social partner in collective negotiations with unions and will promote the interests of Croatian shipowners before all competent bodies of state administration and local and regional self-government, as well as before competent bodies at the international and EU level. In the coming period, the association will strongly support its members in the digital and green transition of their business on the way to sustainable shipping. As a forum of the most important shipowners in the Republic of Croatia, the Association will encourage discussions aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of Croatian shipowners and raising awareness of all important and current issues of interest to members. In this sense, the Association will work on strengthening its identity and cooperation with related associations, as well as strengthening the position of Mare Nostrum under the auspices of its European family - the European Community Shipowners' Association (ECSA).
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