Reduced stamp duty on mortgage in ships

Marcus Andersson (S)

Madam Speaker! Today we are debating the Committee on Taxation's report number 20, Abolished Stamp Duty on Mortgage in Ships.

Madam Speaker! I want to begin by painting a picture of our immediate surroundings. Sweden is a country with a long coastline with associated shipping lanes. It has been a strength for us and contributed to our exports, tourism, fishing, and trade.

Previous conflicts in history have demonstrated how important it is to have one's own merchant fleet and how easily small disruptions in the globalized trade network affect logistics chains, which in turn affects Sweden's population.

Sweden has long had a merchant fleet that has been strong. However, over the last 20 years, there has been a trend with a decreasing number of Swedish-flagged ships.

During the so-called strategic pause, we have not only seen how the armed forces have significantly reduced the level of ambition, but also how the total defense and the general readiness have not been in focus.

During the pandemic, we became aware of how vulnerable the global market was, for example when they in Asia put their crews and ships in quarantine. Another example was that during the pandemic it was not possible to get hold of anesthetic drugs, and instead, operations had to be performed with local anesthesia due to disruptions in the supply chains.

In Gothenburg lies not only Sweden's largest port but the Nordic's largest port. Our neighboring countries in the Nordics and also Nato allies count on us to take a large responsibility for the supply of the region.

A large part of Finland's imports go through Sweden and our ports. Sweden's geographical location with a coast facing both the Baltic Sea and out into the Kattegat means that we will need to handle maritime security at a high level.

In order to enable the Customs Service, the Coast Guard and the Navy to devote themselves to the qualified tasks they are assigned in peace, crisis and war, Sweden's supply must be secured.

In the event of high alert, Swedish sea lanes will need to be prioritized. They must be kept open, and the security of Swedish ports must be guaranteed. We also need to ensure that we have a Swedish merchant fleet that can supply the Swedish people, our neighboring countries, and our allies.

Madam Speaker! The conflicts of the new era are not always full-scale war or armed combat. So-called gray zone operations and sabotage can take place long before a potential conflict gains momentum.

Reduced stamp duty on mortgage in ships

In Sweden's economic zones, we have recently had sabotage of underwater cables as well as the Nord Stream 2 incidents. Sweden needs to be able to quickly mobilize and concentrate forces for maritime operations. In that case, Sweden's food, healthcare, and general supplies must be secured with Swedish-flagged vessels.

In times of crisis and war, Sweden needs access to its own merchant fleet to guarantee the possibility of bringing goods in and out of the country. That Sweden has a competitive regulatory framework for shipping that contributes to Sweden having a strong merchant fleet is important for our security and our prosperity.

Shipping is crucial for Sweden's trade with the rest of the world. It is an important tool for moving more long-distance freight transports from trucks to trains in order to reduce the climate impact from the transport sector.

The ever-decreasing number of Swedish-flagged vessels is not only bad for Sweden's preparedness and security, but it also has a direct negative impact on precisely growth, jobs, and tax revenues.

Madam Speaker! With a significantly reduced merchant fleet, Sweden has become more dependent on foreign shipping companies to supply the country with goods, fuels, and medicines. It will become a completely unsustainable situation if we face a worse crisis or, in the worst case, war in our surrounding area. We cannot count on other countries' ships to prioritize Sweden; instead, we need to have a Swedish merchant fleet that we have at our disposal.

Amateurs study strategy, and professionals study logistics. This is a quote by General Omar Bradley, who, among other things, became Chief of Defense in the USA after World War II. What he wanted to clarify with that statement was precisely such a part as we are debating today. If Sweden does not have ships that can transport and ensure that we receive fuel, spare parts for tanks, and ammunition for the units, they will not be able to carry out their combat missions.

Proceeding with the abolished stamp duty on mortgage in ships is a welcome step on the way to strengthening Swedish shipping, defense logistics, and preparedness. But there are important parts that the government leaves behind. We Social Democrats believe that more must be done to specifically strengthen shipping. A fundamental part of this is to revise the tonnage tax to ensure a more competitive regulatory framework for shipping.

The risk of settling for a lower level of ambition may be that we still do not achieve what we strive for. If Sweden is to receive more flagged ships, we need to achieve a harmonization of conditions with our neighboring countries so that we can meet the requirements set for providing transport that, for example, NATO membership requires.

There are also other important examples and events in the recent past that can shed light on the situation. Gotlandstrafiken was recently in the procurement phase. We are all here in the chamber well aware of how strategically important the island is. Swedish shipping companies could not secure the procurement due to Swedish tax rules. The tonnage tax means that shipping companies from other countries are rewarded. The Swedish system for tonnage tax is not as permissive as the tonnage tax in our Nordic neighboring countries.

We therefore support the proposal and the committee's position. However, a fundamental part is to revise the tonnage tax to ensure a more competitive regulatory framework for shipping. We Social Democrats consider it an important issue that needs to be prioritized, and we will continue to follow up on it.

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Jimmy Ståhl (SD)

Madam Speaker! It is quite pleasing to hear that the Social Democrats are talking about shipping after all. The tonnage tax is an important part for us to achieve healthy competition, and the stamp duty is only the first step.

Madam Speaker! I would like to ask a question to Marcus Andersson regarding the tonnage tax, which the Social Democrats have submitted a special statement on. What is it in the tonnage tax that Marcus Andersson and the Social Democrats want to make changes to? We must not forget that it was actually the Social Democrats who introduced the tonnage tax for Swedish shipping.

As a former member of the Committee on Transport, I questioned the tonnage tax system, not as a system, but why, when introducing the system, it was not made sufficiently large and sufficiently inclusive.

I asked the then Minister for Infrastructure, Tomas Eneroth, whether it would be possible to develop and evaluate the tonnage tax system. The problem, Madam Speaker, was that very few ships, hardly any at all, chose to opt into the tonnage tax system. It was therefore not possible to evaluate the system.

Therefore, Madam Speaker, I would like to pose the question to Marcus Andersson: What changes do the Social Democrats want to make to the tonnage tax system?

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Marcus Andersson (S)

Madam Speaker! I thank Member Jimmy Ståhl for the question.

One can draw a parallel to what the Sverigedemokraternas mantra often is in many ways: Fundamentally, everything that has happened is the Social Democrats' fault. And what is happening now – that is the Social Democrats' fault, isn't it?

Madam Speaker! Regarding what Member Jimmy Ståhl spoke about, the Sweden Democrats do have the opportunity to influence this at the current stage. We Social Democrats have submitted a special statement where we believe that something needs to be done here and now. I definitely think it is important that Sweden can establish a Swedish merchant fleet as quickly as possible. That being said, we have supported the committee report, with a special statement regarding the stamp duty.

I look forward to Member Jimmy Ståhl promising that there will be more regarding the tonnage tax in the future. We will, of course, follow that report closely.

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Jimmy Ståhl (SD)

Madam Speaker! It was as I suspected; there were no concrete proposals.

It was, as said, the Social Democrats' fault that the tonnage tax was introduced. But it is a positive thing, so the member should not take all too harsh criticism towards himself for it. On the other hand, the tonnage tax system was not sufficient, and that is what we are working on and fighting to try to rectify right now.

The problem is that we have competitive disadvantages in Sweden. One of the major disadvantages that arose when the tonnage tax system was introduced was that money was taken from the net model so that shipping itself had to pay the cost of introducing the tonnage tax system. They also omitted other important parts which resulted in a competitive disadvantage compared to coastal shipping and ships moving in Swedish waters. They had to cross the border to foreign waters, which also gave a competitive disadvantage.

Now the government is moving forward, much thanks to the investigation *Vågade skatter – Navigering i sjöfartens förutsättningar*. And we must not forget the Social Democrats. They were involved, and it is a unanimous committee. We all want the shipping industry to do well; we must remember that. It is very positive!

But now we are adding other parts, everything in the memorandum Vågade skatter. The investigation that was conducted was not positive. The stamp duty, which we are talking about today, is a major barrier to making a difference for Swedish ships. If one does not have common solutions with all other countries, no ships will flag Swedish. Then we have a problem, just as Member Marcus Andersson pointed out from the rostrum. Why should you have a Swedish flag when you can have a Danish flag?

It is very important that we make these changes. The government has introduced a bareboat register, and we include special shipping and so on.

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Marcus Andersson (S)

Madam Speaker! I thank the member again for the question and for that we can stand here and highlight the importance of Swedish shipping.

Just as Member Jimmy Ståhl pointed out, it is important that we have a broad consensus regarding the Swedish merchant fleet. However, I did not quite perceive any question, but I understood that the Member presented what the government wants to do. That is precisely what we emphasize, and precisely what was demonstrated in the investigation Vågade skatter – Navigering i sjöfartens förutsättningar.

There were, just as the member points out, several proposals, but when it comes to some of these, the government chose to do nothing. I look forward to upcoming reports and the Sweden Democrats' new direction regarding precisely the merchant fleet.

Fundamentally, one can say that we have raised and emphasized this from the Social Democrats. We are following the issue, and we do not think that the government and the Sverigedemokraterna are doing enough for Sweden's security in the issues regarding the merchant fleet.

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Jimmy Ståhl (SD)

Madam Speaker! I would like to begin by saying: Congratulations Sweden – now the government is presenting a bill that gives Swedish shipping a bit of buoyancy!

The shipping companies may not line up to flag ships, but the high threshold that exists today, we are grinding down to non-existence. The stamp duty may seem to be set quite low at 0.4 percent, but for the larger ships, it becomes quite large amounts. It also does not promote the shipping companies' willingness to invest in expensive extra equipment, as they then get increased costs for their purchases and at the same time higher tax if they flag Swedish.

Once upon a time, Sweden was a great maritime nation with a large Swedish fleet and a flourishing shipbuilding industry. Unfortunately, over time, politicians have not protected shipping. It has been taken for granted, which has led to the fact that today we have a historically small number of Swedish-flagged merchant ships.

Pleasantly enough, the government has taken hold of maritime issues, and shipping is high on the agenda. The increase of Swedish-flagged vessels will take time, but now we are providing the conditions to get more Swedish vessels. In the short term, we can be pleased that the shipping companies choose to flag Swedish on new builds and, in the long run, make the Swedish fleet larger.

Madam Speaker! Swedish shipping companies are world leaders in many respects and are far ahead regarding the development of environmentally friendly ships. Ship investments involve large capital investments. Furthermore, equipping ships with environmental technology that goes beyond the minimum requirements involves even larger investments.

It will become more expensive for Swedish shipping companies that want to be at the forefront and equip their ships with new climate and environmental technology that goes beyond today's legislation. Shipping companies that want to invest in additional environmental technology on board will thus face a higher cost for stamp duty. A number of countries have therefore abolished the stamp duty in order to increase the flagging, as they have noted that the stamp duty works against ships entering under their tonnage tax systems and that the total tax revenues are thus reduced.

In the report, there is a specific statement from the Social Democrats where they express concern that the government is doing too little for shipping. Do not worry, is the answer from us Sweden Democrats. Much has been done, but more will be done. Swedish shipping has found a smile towards the politics and knows that the future is theirs.

The most pleasing thing is that there are no major political contradictions in maritime issues. Everyone understands how important shipping is, above all for the preparedness. This has become even clearer since Russia brutally attacked Ukraine.

Work is being done in full to achieve a changed tonnage tax that removes competitive disadvantages against foreign-flagged vessels. It must end the disadvantaging of our own industry. We must work to strengthen all shipping – everything from special shipping, inland shipping, coastal shipping and short-sea shipping to ocean shipping.

Madam Speaker! As a Gothenburger with a bit of salt spray in the blood, I must nevertheless highlight some prides within the merchant fleet. I shall read out some shipping companies from a small island, Donsö, in southern Gothenburg: Furetank Rederi, Rederi AB Donsötank, Sirius Rederi, Tärntank, Veritas Tankers and Älvtank.

Donsö is a relatively small, car-free island in the southern archipelago of Gothenburg. It is often said: If you put a Gotlandic person on a deserted island, they survive. If you put a Donsö resident on a deserted island, they become a millionaire. They are really good businessmen.

I also want to take the opportunity to highlight Thunbolagen, Ahlmark, Destination Gotland and, of course, the giants Stena Line and Walleniusrederierna with partner companies.

There is also a multitude of Swedish shipping companies that sail exclusively in Swedish waters and also larger foreign shipping companies that are our highway out to sea towards the continent. I am thinking of Viking Line, Tallink Silja Line, Polferries, Unity Line, Bornholmslinjen, Öresundslinjen, Finnlines and Wasaline.

The last shipping companies I have mentioned, Madam Speaker, we have great use of in Sweden. But they do not have Swedish flags, and in the event of war, we have no control over these at all. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to work hard to get more Swedish-flagged vessels.

I vote in favor of the committee's proposal in the report.

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Marcus Andersson (S)

Madam Speaker! Member Jimmy Ståhl stands here and "teases" the Swedish population and shipping regarding upcoming changes in the tax. Just as in the exchange following my speech, I would like to ask a question based on Member Jimmy Ståhl's claim that there will be more. My question is: When will it come? Is it really time at this moment to wait for this change regarding the tonnage tax?

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Jimmy Ståhl (SD)

Madam Speaker! When will it come? It is an exciting question.

The problem is that we have a group that is currently conducting investigations. "Vågade skatter" was an investigation that Rikard Engström carried out. Unfortunately, he had far too little time and opportunity to do it completely and perfectly.

I must still say that I have respect for Rikard Engström and his work. He conducted a fairly good investigation, but certain parts were missing. Among other things, the Gotland shipping companies would have been hit quite hard if one had followed Rikard Engström's proposal. We made some changes there.

The work on the investigation is in full swing. Hopefully, it will be ready quite soon. I cannot provide a timeline today and do not want to anticipate the work. However, I am completely certain that it will be very good, and that is one of the most important factors.

Then we naturally have other parts that we are working with. Among others, we have the national coordinator, who is to increase the previously non-existent Swedish inland shipping and coastal shipping. When the opportunity for inland waterways came in 2014, there was complete silence from the government. Nothing happened, even though we had all the opportunities.

But now we shall not stray from the debate, Madam Speaker. The problem is that I love shipping. I have worked in the Port of Gothenburg for 20 years. I sleep with a boat under my pillow. It is my life.

To say that the government is not doing enough is completely wrong. We are doing a great deal for shipping. What are the Social Democrats doing?

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Marcus Andersson (S)

Madam Speaker! I thank Jimmy Ståhl for the question.

I, who can probably be seen as a landlubber in the discussion on shipping, would nevertheless like to emphasize that we Social Democrats are doing a lot. Above all, we have submitted a special statement and have been very clear in the debate that you can do more. There is more to be done. Svensk sjöfart points specifically to the tonnage system and the tonnage tax as an important part to address.

The committee was on Gotland. There we also saw, Madam Speaker, how Swedish shipping companies did not secure that procurement. It went to another shipping company.

I would just like to point out once again that we are not receiving any clear answer from the Sweden Democrats in the chamber today. They have promised here today that there will be tonnage tax changes, but that remains to be seen.

We Social Democrats will stand and point out the inadequacies that exist in Swedish shipping regarding supply and a Swedish merchant fleet.

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Jimmy Ståhl (SD)

Madam Speaker! I am becoming a bit puzzled. Now, it is difficult to ask a question to Member Marcus Andersson, but when it comes to the ferry traffic to Gotland, I am quite certain that there will be a Swedish flag on that ship. When I listened to Marcus Andersson, Madam Speaker, I perceived that it would not be a Swedish flag. In that case, I must ask a rhetorical question: Which flag would Marcus Andersson have said it was if he could have answered? We will not find that out now, Madam Speaker.

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Boriana Åberg (M)

Madam Speaker! What a wonderful start to the week – to stand here in the chamber and debate the abolition of the stamp duty on ship mortgages! This is a tax that has long been considered in need of review because the tax rate of 0.4 percent of the mortgage amount has simply been too high. Now there will be no tax cut, but something even better: the tax is abolished entirely from July 1 of this year.

That the country is governed by a proactive government with a strong focus on the business sector matters. Several counterproductive and harmful taxes, such as the plastic bag tax, the waste incineration tax, and the aviation tax, have been abolished. Other taxes have been lowered, and several are in the process of being lowered.

It is pleasing to hear that even the Social Democrats have realized that tax cuts do not necessarily lead to reduced tax revenues. On the contrary, they lead to more jobs and to a stronger development of the Swedish economy.

Madam Speaker! Shipping is of great importance for foreign trade and the business sector. One job at sea is estimated to provide four jobs on land. This concerns shipbrokers, shipping personnel, and jobs in ports and at authorities, and so on.

90 percent of Sweden's exports and imports are carried out via shipping. Shipping does not only contribute to strengthening the Swedish economy but is vital for maintaining Sweden's maritime competence. A Swedish merchant fleet of a certain size is required so that those who train to become ship captains and other maritime professions have the opportunity for practical experience. It is also important for Swedish companies that manufacture ship equipment to have access to testbeds for innovations – not to mention the importance of a Swedish fleet if war comes and the possibilities of obtaining supplies via land and air routes disappear. Then, Swedish-flagged ships truly become a matter of life and death.

Unfortunately, the Swedish merchant fleet has shown a negative development during the recent decades. Shipping companies have adopted a flag-of-convenience model by placing ships under alternative flags, which provides them with cost savings through reduced fees as well as more flexible standards for ship operations.

A few years ago, the Committee on Transport submitted a report on shipping and its competitiveness. In this excellent report, the following example of the differences in registration fees and taxes between Sweden and Singapore is given: For a ship construction of 67,000 gross tonnage with a contract price of 70 million dollars and a loan-to-value ratio of 70 percent, where ten mortgages, mortgage deeds, and notations of ownership of mortgage deeds are taken out, the total costs in Sweden amount to just under 1,300,000 kronor, of which the stamp duty is 1,250,000 kronor, registration of the ship 16,100 kronor, registration of mortgages 21,000 kronor, and notations of ownership of mortgage deeds 9,800 kronor. Corresponding fees in Singapore amount to approximately 270,000 kronor.

Madam Speaker! There was a piling up of figures here, but in summary, the difference in registration cost for the ship is 1 million Swedish kronor – to Sweden's disadvantage. One does not need to look for examples from Singapore. It is also cheaper to register ships in Denmark. There, the stamp duty was 0.2 percent for a decade or so, to then be abolished completely. Denmark is also the country that the most Swedish ships have flagged out to.

Madam Speaker! With its decision to abolish the stamp duty, the government takes an important step towards attracting more ships to use the Swedish flag. The stamp duty has been identified as one of the key factors that is hindering and making the Swedish flag unattractive for shipowners who want to register their ships. Now we are removing the stamp duty and strengthening the competitiveness of the Swedish shipping industry.

Madam Speaker! I vote in favor of the proposal in the report.

(Applause)

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Marcus Andersson (S)

Madam Speaker! Thank you, Boriana Åberg, for the speech! I intended, as I said, not to stand up and make remarks in this matter, but I could not help myself when we social democrats were now once again dragged into general tax policy issues. I will try to stick to the subject.

I have a couple of questions for Boriana Åberg. We have debated this previously in exchanges regarding the tonnage tax and specifically the investigation that forms the basis for, among other things, the reduction of the abolished stamp duty. What does one consider needs to be done regarding the tonnage tax, and when? The Moderates' coalition partner, Madam Speaker, has clearly stated that the tonnage tax should be changed.

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Boriana Åberg (M)

Madam Speaker! Thank you to Marcus Andersson, who gave me the opportunity to explain why I pulled the Social Democrats into the debate!

It is not every day that the Social Democrats stand behind tax cuts. It is rather the opposite. For the Social Democrats, taxes are something vital. The more taxes and the higher taxes, the better, the Social Democrats think. When they for once show a bit of common sense and stand behind a tax cut – in this case even the abolition of the stamp duty – I think the Social Democrats should receive praise and be encouraged to think in the same way even when it comes to other taxes.

Lowered taxes and abolished taxes do not automatically lead to reduced tax revenues, but on the contrary, often to large socio-economic gains. In the end, it yields greater tax revenues. This applies, for example, to the abolition of the wealth tax, which the Social Democrats actually carried out – admittedly to remain in power. It turned out to be a plus for the state.

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Marcus Andersson (S)

Madam Speaker! I can begin by placing some focus on what tax is and what it provides. The Social Democrats do not in any way see it as an end in itself to have very high taxes, but what we say is that we are to have a welfare state. A part of that enters into what is being discussed today, for example, defense. There one also sees that tax revenues finance other things, for example, giving people the opportunity to study by means of student grants.

Let me return to the matter. I still hear no answer to the question regarding the stamp duty report, which we are debating today. I would very much like to have a general political tax debate, but I understand that Madam Speaker does not want that. Therefore, I conclude by repeating the question: Why do the Moderates and Boriana Åberg choose not to take advantage of the Swedish merchant fleet and introduce a change to the tonnage tax as soon as possible? I and the Social Democrats do not believe that we can wait with this commitment, Madam Speaker.

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Boriana Åberg (M)

Madam Speaker! That is exactly what we are doing! We are abolishing the tax that shipping companies have pointed out as the biggest obstacle to flying the Swedish flag, which is the stamp duty.

When it comes to the tonnage tax, I wonder if Marcus Andersson has read up on what tonnage tax is. But I will not ask any questions, as he has no further reply.

When the tonnage tax was to be introduced, it happened after it had gone back and forth, with one investigation after another. One investigation was certainly a decimeter thick! Among other things, it was discussed where the limit should be. It was set at a gross tonnage of 100 tons, which was wrong. It should have been set at 20 tons. Different types of boats should also have been involved, for example those that perform repairs on underwater cables for offshore wind power, maintain oil platforms and the like, that is, service vessels.

As my colleague Jimmy Ståhl pointed out, the Government Offices are working on this. So it is coming. I suggest that Marcus Andersson poses the questions "when" and "how" to the responsible minister. We have a question time with the ministers every Thursday. Take the opportunity and ask the question where it belongs!

(Applause)

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Anders Ekegren (L)

Madam Speaker! Today's debate shall concern the abolition of stamp duty on the mortgaging of ships. Listening to the debate, one might think it is about the tonnage tax, but such a debate will come a little later.

On 27 June 2023, the current government appointed an inquiry which resulted in the memorandum Vågade skatter – navigering i sjöfartens förutsättningar. The purpose was to see if there was a need to change the rules for stamp duty on mortgages in ships and the tonnage tax.

There was that, and first of all is the government's proposal to abolish the stamp duty on mortgage of ships. Further ahead, positive changes will come regarding the tonnage tax; it is of course very important that the issue is investigated. It was actually the Social Democrats who introduced the tonnage tax. Shipowners who I have spoken with believe that it is not possible to manage it. When a new proposal on tonnage tax is now being prepared, it is therefore important that it becomes good.

Swedish shipping is not as it was when I grew up in Gothenburg during the 60s and 70s. Back then, there were as many shipping companies as one could count. One task we had in school was to follow the shipping company Transatlantics ship Arizona across the wide oceans.

Abolishing the stamp duty on mortgage registration in ships is a way to strengthen Swedish shipping and, among other things, reduce flagging out and have new vessels become Swedish-registered. Today, many ships are registered in the Danish and Norwegian ship registries. In many countries, the shipowners pay no stamp duty at all, which has caused the shipowners to choose to register in those. If the stamp duty is abolished, the conditions between different countries will become more similar. From conversations I have had, this measure, along with a better tonnage tax, can prevent continued flagging out.

Madam Speaker! I have read through many referral responses and newspaper articles regarding the proposal. The referral bodies are very positive and see this as a step in the right direction.

Despite the fact that it is not about such large amounts – approximately 10 million per year – Trafikanalys considers the signal value to be great and that it can lead to new companies choosing to register their ships in Sweden. From a preparedness perspective, it is also important. A Swedish-flagged vessel sails under Swedish law and can therefore be deployed by Sweden in crisis and war.

Trafikanalys further considers that 85 percent of the crew members on a Swedish-registered ship are Swedish citizens, and more Swedish-registered ships will with great certainty mean more Swedish crew members. That too would be to the advantage from a preparedness perspective, and it would strengthen the competence supply of the Swedish maritime cluster.

There are also positive side effects of the proposal. The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management and Svensk Sjöfart consider that this can have positive effects on the climate and the environment. They state that it will become cheaper to invest in modern, more environmentally friendly vessels.

The Government assesses that it will cost the state approximately 10 million kronor per year, which is a modest sum for the state but implies reduced costs for shipping. Some referral bodies believe that the state's costs will be lower as more ships will be registered in Sweden.

The proposal simply goes in the right direction for Swedish shipping. I therefore move for approval, Madam Speaker, to the Committee on Taxation's proposal in the report.

(Applause)

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Marcus Andersson (S)

Madam Speaker! It will be tight between my entries from the rostrum. Now, it is because the member Anders Ekegren commented on the introduction of the tonnage tax, and I want to respond to what he said.

I had to check this. When the tonnage tax was introduced in 2017, it was included as part of the decision that it should be evaluated. That is, among other things, why the current investigation has been conducted.

My question will be the same as the one I have asked to all other members in the chamber today: When will the proposal arrive? How will the member work to ensure that this passes as soon as possible?

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Anders Ekegren (L)

Madam Speaker! I am always a little surprised when one is challenged on tax matters by a Social Democrat. It is not the Social Democrats' strongest suit, so to speak. I have participated in debates before. Some like completely different things, but Social Democrats seem to get excited about raising taxes. What is fortunate today is that we are in agreement on the proposal.

In 2017, we had a Social Democratic government. It is therefore a Social Democratic government that introduced the tonnage tax. But I say this: It would have been great if we could introduce the proposal this autumn, but it is obviously important that a new tonnage tax does not become like the current one. It must work. The proposal must be good.

I am from Gothenburg, and there are always people who think that you can talk to a Gothenburger when it comes to shipping. I believe that this proposal, when it is to be presented, must be good and entail positive changes. What I understand is that today there are very many shipping companies waiting. It is thought that this with the stamp duty is a step in the right direction, but one also wants to see changes when it comes to the tonnage tax. It is very important that this becomes good.

From what I have understood from the conversations I have had, there are shipping companies today that say roughly this: If it does not become a good tonnage tax, we will flag out from Sweden and use another alternative. Therefore, this proposal must be good. It must not be like the 2017 proposal.

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Marcus Andersson (S)

Madam Speaker! The answer to the question is therefore that this is being investigated and reviewed, and so an optimal proposal will come at some point in the future, quite simply. We Social Democrats have said, and I say again, that we believe this can be solved quite easily and quickly. There is already a basis and an investigation that says how and what.

With that said, I would actually just like to point out once again that I have not received any answer as to when this will arrive and that the Swedish merchant fleet is still in need of a changed tonnage tax.

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Anders Ekegren (L)

Madam Speaker! I have the same answer as before. If I were a Social Democrat, I would probably rank quite low on this issue. It was, after all, you who introduced the current tonnage tax in 2017. It did not turn out well, and there are many companies that have chosen not to use it. I think we should now do it over and do it right so that it becomes a tonnage tax that can actually be used. If this takes a few weeks more or less, I do not think it is a big problem. You actually sat in government until 2022, so you had five years to fix the tonnage tax. One can ask oneself why you did not do that.

The deliberation was hereby concluded.

(A decision was to be taken on 20 May.)

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