Level Playing Field is crucial
In an order delivered on the 28th of April 2025 following FEPORT’s action regarding a State Aid scheme granted by Greece to the maritime sector concerning tonnage tax and related aid measures, the General Court of Justice has recognised that this action has compelled the EU Commission to adopt decisions on the Greek Tonnage Tax after nine years of inaction.[1]
As a result of the Commission’s Decision of 25 November 2024 concerning Greece, the extension of the tonnage tax to activities ancillary to shipping including land-based, which the EU Commission has approved in some Member States, can only be maintained insofar as these activities represent less than 50% of the shipping operations.
While FEPORT has always recognised the importance of the EU Maritime State Aid Guidelines and the tonnage tax schemes applying to maritime transport as a means to preserve the competitiveness of EU shipping vis à vis international competition, FEPORT has expressed its opposition regarding the extension of the tonnage tax to loading and unloading operations leading to a distortion of competition between independent terminals and vertical integrated ones as well as the unlevel playing field between Member States. In this regard, FEPORT has contested the Commission's inaction since its 2015 decision requesting the Hellenic Republic to take appropriate measures in order to comply with EU law.[1]
With this ruling, the General Court thus recognises that thanks to FEPORT's action, the Commission finally acted, putting an end to its failure to act regarding the incompatibility of the Greek scheme as recognised since 2015 Commission decision.
[1] Case SA.33828 – Tonnage tax scheme and other tax relieves provided in Law No 27 of 19 April 1975 as amended.
News
Mediterranean Sulphur Emission Control Area enters into effect
Report of the LIBE Committee’s Mission – Antwerp and Rotterdam
FEPORT attends ESPO Conference – Thessaloniki
Waterborne Technology Platform welcomes a revamped long term budget for the European Union – Brussels
ENVI Committee approves provisional political agreement on microplastics regulation – Brussels
ENVI Committee approves the CBAM simplification proposal – Brussels
MEP submits question to the Commission on scope of ETS Maritime – Brussels
Public Hearing on Military Mobility in the European Parliament – Brussels
Szczecin Declaration: Advancing the Competitiveness and Resilience of Europe’s Maritime Sector – Szczecin
FEPORT Welcomes EU-UK Summit Agreements on Maritime Safety and ETS Cooperation – London
SEARICA event: EU Maritime & Defence – Brussels
Trilogue agreement reached on EMSA regulation – Brussels
FEPORT participates to Global Gateway Meeting – Brussels
FEPORT welcomes the ECJ’s recognition of FEPORT’s action to restore a level playing field – Brussels
FEPORT participates to ITF Summit Ministerial Roundtable on building Maritime transport Resilience – Leipzig
EU Commission adopts Single Market Strategy – Brussels
FEPORT’s Contribution to the consultation on the interim evaluation of CEF 2021-2027: Advocating for a More Inclusive and Effective Transport Funding Framework – Brussels
