Sweden

Norwegian ferry company Color Line has expressed the importance of flagging its vessels with the country's International Register which it hopes will become more competitive with the Swedish and Danish flags.

A feature in TradeWinds reports:

Swedish maritime newspaper Sjöfartstidningen reports that the country, which has faced a crossroads for several years regarding the future of its maritime policy, will implement reforms to strengthen the sector over the next few months.

An English translation of the article reads as follows:

Sweden has rejected suggested acts to enhance its maritime sector, including the establishment of an international register, stating it is already taking measures to develop the industry.

Sjöfartstidningen reports:

Finnish operator Viking Lines has seen an increase in profits resulting from reflagging two of its vessels last year.

Fairplay reports:

Viking Line sees improved 2013

Viking Lines has confirmed speculation that it will reflag the Viking XPRS from Sweden to Estonia in January 2014 in an act to reduce crewing costs and increa

Attorney Sören Thorlin of Skarp Stockholm Advokatbyrå argues that Sweden needs to establish a tonnage tax regime and establish an international registry if it wants to remain competitive as a maritime nation.

The Swedish Ministry of Transport has released a report concluding the flag cannot compete with those of other Scandinavian nations and therefore should have reduced emphasis in the country's transport policy going forward.

Sweden is reconsidering implementation of a tonnage tax after seeing its fleet flag out to other Scandinavian registries.

The Swedish fleet stands at a crossroads as it sees its numbers decline while Finland is experiencing an uptick in registrations. Fairplay reports:

Sweden’s flag fall swells Finnish coffers