(MENAFN- Swissinfo)
Only 14 ocean vessels currently fly the Swiss flag. Keystone / Dominic Favre
Switzerland has adopted the foundations of a plan to revive the fortunes its flagging ocean-going merchant navy fleet.
This content was published on June 2, 2023 June 2, 2023 swissinfo.ch/mga On Friday, the government set out a new Maritime Strategy 2023-2027 for the landlocked country that will focus on six thematic reforms.
+ read how switzerland rescued its merchant navy fleet
“As a globally oriented economy, Switzerland relies on smooth global logistics chains and maritime trade,” the government stated. In addition, several Swiss-based sea transport and logistics companies operate around 900 ships.
However, the Swiss flag currently flies on only 14 ocean vessels, well down from the 50 ships in 2017. In that year, an embarrassing shipping fraud cost the taxpayer CHF215 million ($237 million), forcing a rethink of maritime strategy.
The government says it is“relaxing the registration requirements for merchant ships” to“create an attractive and competitive Swiss flag with a reliable regulatory framework”.
At the same time, Switzerland wants to play are larger role in developing international maritime law and research while“continuing its commitment in the areas of marine biodiversity, plastic pollution and climate protection”.
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