Greek Owner Loyal to National Flag

In a recent interview with TradeWinds shipowner John Angelicoussis, whose group oversees Anangel Maritime Services, Maran Tankers Management and Maran Gas Maritime, spoke about controlling the largest Greek flagged-fleet in the industry.

An excerpt of the article states:

Apart from having the largest Greek-owned fleet, Angelicoussis controls the largest Greek-flag fleet, with only one bulk carrier under non-Greek colours and seven tankers, which are on bareboat charters.

“I am the only big supporter of the Greek flag. There are other supporters, but not big enough to suffer economically as much,” he says, referring indirectly to an issue that has shaken the roots of the relationship between shipowners and the Greek government.

At the end of December, a provision tripling tonnage tax for the coming three years and making it mandatory was slipped into law by being included in a bill on real-estate taxation. This overturned a voluntary agreement that had been reached by the Union of Greek Shipowners and the government six months earlier whereby owners would pay double tax.

Although it now looks as if a solution may be found, the incident has left a bitter taste in the mouths of the shipping fraternity.

Angelicoussis draws attention to the substantial contribution made by the industry besides its financial obligations. Shipping provides training and well-paid jobs to a substantial number of people. His group’s personnel payroll covers between 3,000 and 4,000 people, he points out.

The full article is available through www.tradewindsnews.com.