Spanish Shipowners Association Concerned with Flag Decline
The Spanish shipping association ANAVE has expressed concern over the decline in the country's fleet.
ANAVE states that ambigious 2005 regulations regarding crewmember nationality have led to a departure of vessels from the Spanish flag. It believes that an overturning of the legislation might stimulate an increase in the number of vessels registered nationally but does not see the government returning to the pre-2005 regulations.
As is the case with other countries on which the OGSR has reported, Spain's shipping sector could serve an integral role in bringing the nation's economy toward recovery, but its government needs to provide conditions to foster that growth.
