The tax haven for shipowners will cost the State 4,000 million euros in 2022. This is revealed by the budget documents published this week by the Government, as a result of the 2023 finance law. And the first beneficiary of this niche is none other than the superprofit company, CMA CGM.
The tonnage tax, this specific tax regime for shipowners, represents the sixth largest loss of income for the State. In concrete terms, it allows shipowners to pay a flat rate on their transport capacity instead of a tax on their operating results. A rule applied in almost the entire European Union.
$14.8 billion in profit for CMA CGM
In France, 40 companies benefit from it, starting with CMA CGM. The Marseille group made $14.8 billion in profit in the first half, almost as much as all of last year. Enough to precipitate this fiscal niche into the center of the superprofit debate. This week, a PS deputy also tried, without success, to have this privilege removed through an amendment.
In Brussels, this advantage is seen as a means of keeping shipowners strong on the continent. A successful bet, this sector is one of the few where Europe crushes the competition. CMA CGM is the third European, on the podium of the largest shipowners in the world.
Source: BFM TV
