20 February 2023

CLECAT MARITIME LOGISTICS INSTITUTE MEETS

Members of the CLECAT Maritime Logistics Institute met last week to discuss the latest developments impacting sea freight forwarders, notably the evaluation of the CBER, the implementation of the OSRA by the FMC or the policy updates on the maritime-related files of the fit for 55 Package.

Members exchanged on the state of play of the review of the CBER, of which CLECAT had submitted its contribution in October last year, and exchanged on the possible policy initiatives in anticipation of the Staff Working Document on the evaluation of the CBER which is expected from DG COMP in Q1 2023. CLECAT will continue to argue to policymakers on the need to reform the CBER and will provide several policy options.

Members took note of the final adoption by the Council of the Directive on the global minimum corporate tax. The 15% minimum tax rate for multinational companies will exclude shipping income, but ancillary activities such as inland transportation will remain in the scope of the tax, mitigating the risk of competitive distortions between integrated carriers and independent logistic operators. CLECAT welcomes the adoption of the Directive and will continue to raise awareness on the unfair competition created by tonnage tax regime in the EU and will call for a review of the EU maritime State Aid guidelines and tonnage tax rules to ensure ancillary services are excluded from their scope.

Members received an update on the implementation of the OSRA in the US by the FMC, notably the new provision on D&D billing requirements. These first consequences of the implementing measures are already visible, with the FMC ordering the waiver of D&D fees, in addition to voluntary waiving by carriers of more than $700,000. Finally, members discussed the latest developments regarding the Fit for 55 Package, notably the inclusion of maritime emissions into the EU ETS, and the ongoing trilogue negotiations of AFIR and FuelEU Maritime.