The generalized levelling of construction costs and operation of the vessel (refuelling, tax and social security charges, etc.) combined with the imminent extension of the benefits under the International Register to EU/EEA flags make it urgent today the administrative and bureaucratic simplification of the legal system Italian seafarer. This was highlighted today by Nicola Coccia, coordinator of the Rules and Competitiveness Committee of Confitarma, during a hearing at the Commission Environment, ecological transition, energy, public works, communications, technological innovation of the Senate in the field of of the consideration of Senator Malan's Bill No. 673 in amendments to the administrative system of the Shipping and Maritime Work ( of 6 September 2023).

"For a long time now," Coccia explained, "all the subjects stakeholders, both public and private, are aware of this urgency. This is evidenced by the various bills in terms of simplification of the sector presented over the years in Parliament but also the important work of comparison carried out in the context of the "Sea Table", established by the then MIMS at the end of 2021. Unfortunately, however, these valuable initiatives have not seen a significant impact on the the light. The time has come for good intentions to turn from Let's move on to concrete facts if we don't want to see the flagging out of the Italian fleet towards more competitive!'.

The representative of the Italian Shipowners' Confederation pointed out that the measures contained in the Malan Bill, in addition to not In most cases, additional burdens will be borne by the are common-sense measures, aimed, among other things, at modernising maritime legislation in relation to the digital age in which and to adapt the relevant legislation to the context of the European institution. In the age of digitalisation, he pointed out Coccia - it is anachronistic not to allow ships operating in foreign ports and for long periods (even up to three months) do not find a consulate willing to regularise the enlistment contracts (as non-existent or for incompatibility of schedules or as an honorary consulate without the necessary functions) cannot make use of the also incurring the risk of sanctions by the Harbour Master's Office upon their arrival in the Italian port. Thus as it is a contradiction that, due to the lack of updating of the relevant legislation, the temporary divestment procedure flag (so-called bareboat out) to the EU flag - as equivalent to a definitive decommissioning to a non-EU flag - is much stricter than that envisaged for the decommissioning to a Member State's registry, which requires instead only the submission of a simple application in Harbour Master's Office.

"There are also other proposals that we have been promoting for some time to the competent institutional bodies in order to make our more competitive companies," added Coccia referring to the simplification of the training process to achieve the certification of crew cook and amendments to the Code of the Navigation on the subject of mortgage advertising and mortgage consolidation.

"We are confident - concluded Nicola Coccia - that the bill No 673 will be rapidly and effectively implemented as Very important first step to relaunch the Italian flag - to which we are deeply attached and which we try to bring with us pride at the stern of our ships - and continue to count, as country, in international institutional forums'.