The Aponte family, owner of the Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), is having a great time. The wealth of the company’s founder, Gianluigi Aponte (82) and his family, has increased by an incredible 11 billion this year, according to the latest rich list by “Bilanz”. It should now amount to 19 to 20 billion francs.
The reason for the increase is Corona. The pandemic has caused profits in the shipping business to explode. Problems with global supply chains pushed freight prices to unprecedented levels. A container from Asia to Europe currently costs more than $10,000, up from $2,000 before Corona. Operating more than 700 ships, MSC is benefiting from this like no other company.
But things may soon get even better for the Aponte family. The parliament in Bern flirts with a heavy tax gift for all shipowners in Switzerland. In the future, industry will no longer have to pay taxes based on their profits, but on their transportation capacity.
Tonnage tax trick
The Federal Council promotes the so-called tonnage tax as “a financing instrument for maritime transport”. But last year such an arrangement would have simply saved owners millions in taxes. Contrary to their profits, their carrying capacity has hardly changed.
In mid-November, the National Council’s Economic Commission (WAK) nevertheless spoke in favor of introducing the tonnage tax. However, there was resistance not only from the left but also from individual citizens – for example, by Jürg Grossen (53), President of the Green Liberals.
When asked by SonntagsBlick, Grossen justified his refusal, saying there was “no understandable reason” for shipping companies to be taxed no longer on their profits but on their loading capacity. “Such an exception is absolutely arbitrary,” Berner said.
According to Grossen, the only argument in favor of tonnage tax is that the EU has already introduced such a tax regime. “But that’s not a good argument – and I’m afraid voters will reject this tax gift for rich shipowners at the ballot box.”
The GLP President reminds that the left has already blocked the abolition of withholding and stamp duty with a referendum, and he prophesies: “The same will happen in this tax law, which is clearly dictated by the economy.”
The Green Liberal points out that if Parliament accepts the proposal, it will be a gift for the SP and the Greens: “And it’s in the middle of the election year!”
Whether that will happen or not will be decided next week. Then the tonnage tax comes before the National Council.