RMT respond to Tonnage Tax reform reports

RMT research shows that shipowners in the Tonnage Tax scheme have already benefited from subsidies worth £2.165bn since the scheme was introduced in the early 2000s. The number of UK Ratings employed on vessels in the scheme has flatlined and only 75 Ratings have been trained since 2015.

RMT General Secretary, Mick Cash said:
“The Tonnage Tax has subsidised shipowners to the tune of £2.165 billion but trained only 75 UK Ratings, with UK Ratings jobs on non-UK flagged ships in the scheme virtually non-existent. We agree that major reform is needed to secure a far better deal for UK Ratings and Officers from this consistent level of taxpayer subsidy. It would be nice to be consulted about these proposals, rather than reading about them in the press.

"If reports are accurate, however, then the Government is planning a post-Brexit race to the bottom, protecting international shipping interests ahead of investment in training and skilled seafarer jobs in this country.

"The crew change crisis underlines the need for a quality Red Ensign, not a Flag of Convenience competing with city states like Singapore or Hong Kong. The Government must come clean with all the maritime unions on their plans.”

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