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MISSION
:
The RBSA proactively looks after the common interests of
all shipowners and ships’ managers established in
Belgium and involved in international maritime transport
by sea. The association plays a dynamic role in
promoting the sector as attractive employer and gives
its members operational support and clarification
concerning fiscal, social, environmental and maritime
legislation. For this purpose, the RBSA collaborates
closely with all relevant national and international
parties.
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VISION :
As Belgium’s maritime knowledge centre, the RBSA hopes
to play a pioneering role in the continuing expansion
and long-term growth of the sector of international
maritime transport by sea. In its role of
forward-looking opinion maker, the RBSA hopes to serve
as the ideal discussion partner for all parties
concerned. |
Download the recommendations on registering a ship under the Belgian
flag 1.
The Belgian authorities gain control over shipping safety and
working conditions on board.
2. A number of measures taken by the Belgian authorities in the
framework of the EU State Aid Guidelines have turned the Register is
a competitive one vis-à-vis other registers.
a) Tax measures in support of business. The programme laws of 2
August 2002 and 27 December 2004 provide for a series of tax
measures in support of companies running maritime operations. Among
the provisions features the lump sum profit setting (i.e. the
so-called tonnage tax system) already in force in several EU States.
Ship owners who do not wish to take advantage of this system will be
offered a relatively attractive alternative tax regime. The text of
the programme laws (consolidated) and the explanatory statements are
downloadable HERE.
b) The social security of seafaring EU residents will come under
Belgian law. However ship owners shall be exempted from the
employer's part of social security charges as well as from part of
the employee's social security charges. If special conditions are
met social security charges of non-EU residents may be paid in the
country of origin.
c) For the seafarers employed on board of EU-registered ships, ship
owners shall be exempted from the payment of the withholding tax on
professional income levied on seafarer wages, on the condition that
the seafarers concerned are Belgian tax-payers.
3. It is expected that flying the Belgian flag will encourage
youngsters to choose a career in the Merchant Marine, as we will
discuss further under the "JOBS" heading of the present website
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