President of the UK Chamber of Shipping, Kenneth MacLeod, has called for shipping companies in the UK’s Tonnage Tax system to be allowed to train Merchant Navy ratings, not only officers. Shipping companies can apply to be part of the Tonnage Tax regime – a system of taxation that allows UK shipping to be internationally competitive. Being part of tonnage tax means that shipping companies must train one new officer cadet annually for every 15 officers they employ. (Merchant Navy ratings are the support staff on board a ship – they are skilled seafarers who work in the deck…