Greek Shipowners Fiercing Protect Tax Breaks
Shipping minister says current measurement method not effective. On the day he took office as Greece's shipping minister in June 2012, Kostis Moussouroulis received a visit from a 90-year-old shipowner. He still remembers the older man's words: "Don't forget, the best minister of shipping and maritime affairs is the minister who is doing nothing for the shipping industry. That's the way Greek shipowners like it. The magnates who run one of the biggest merchant marine fleets in the world have long argued that if Greece tried to tax them, they would leave - and that their departure would devastate the economy. In recent years, as international institutions repeatedly bailed out Greece, the lenders have also pushed Athens to beef up its tax take.
China to Build 142 Ships for Greek Companies
Greek Shipping Minister Kostis Moussouroulis announced the orders for Chinese shipbuilders on his recent visit to Shanghai. The orders, which were signed in April, accounted for more than 60 percent of the recent global orders of Greek shipowners, reported Xinhua, citing the Greek minister. The shipping industry, including shipbuilding, is one of the most important sectors for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. In the next decade, China will remain an important global exporter and become an increasingly important importer, according to the minister. As one of China's major shipbuilding companies, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co.,Ltd has built a total of 67 ships for Greek shipowners in recent years, accounting for about 30 percent of the company's output.
