The European Court of Justice has recently issued an important judgement (Di Maura C-246/16) with regard to VAT and specifically to the interpretation of the provisions of the VAT Directive (Directive 2006/112/EC) for bad debts. European Court of Justice release new VAT judgement The Court ruled that, the Member States may not make the reduction…
Malta was elected to the Council of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for the 11th consecutive time. The IMO regulates the maritime sector within the United Nations. In this election, which took place during the 30th edition of the General Assembly of this same organisation in London, Malta was elected from amongst 20 countries in…
The Greek tax authorities have recently issued a Ministerial Decision by the Minister of Finance (circular ΠΟΛ. 1173/2017) with the list of the countries having a privileged tax regime under the provisions of the Greek Code of Income Tax for the years 2016 and 2017. Greece included in the preferential tax regimes of 2016-2017 As…
Malta continues to be regarded as a strong and safe maritime jurisdiction and so far its efforts are reaping rewards as the Malta flag continues to be the largest maritime flag in Europe and the sixth largest maritime flag in the world. The constant growth of the Malta maritime flag speaks volumes. During 2017 Malta…
In a bid to meet its obligations under the the 2014 EU Directive, Malta’s Energy and Water Agency has been awarded a €600,000 EU grant to explore the potential of have LNG as a marine fuel in Malta. In accordance with the 2014 EU Directive, Member States have until 2025 to develop LNG refuelling infrastructure…
Yesterday evening, the 9th October 2017, Malta Finance Minister Hon Profs Scicluna laid out the plans of the Government for 2018 in the first budget in decades that was put in a context of a surplus for Malta, continual economic growth (currently around 5-6% annually) and record numbers for tourism and employment. Therefore, as the…
The aim of the EU fourth anti-money-laundering directive is to further enforce the fight against tax evasion, money laundering and financing of terrorism and includes such provisions as that of the setting up of the ultimate beneficial ownership registry which is deemed quite controversial. The deadline for its implementation in the different member states was…
Yesterday, on the 27th of July, the Commission issued a press release in which it proposed to enshrine into EU Law an agreement between European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) concerning the improvement of the working conditions of seafarers.[1] EU backs proposal for improved conditions for seafarers The ETF and…
The tragedy that took place on a Colombian reservoir is made all the more poignant by the fact that it occurred on the Day of the Seafarer, an initiative adopted during the 2010 Diplomatic Conference in Manila to adopt the revised STCW Convention. Whilst applauding all the owners of leisure boats that rushed to help…
The 25th of June marks the annual Day of the Seafarer. Whilst keeping Seafarers in our thoughts, on this day more than ever, we must also promote what the 2010 resolution that adopted the Day of the Seafarer states. The resolution “encourages Governments, shipping organizations, companies, shipowners and all other parties concerned to duly…