“As a globally oriented economy, Switzerland relies on smooth global logistics chains and maritime trade,” the government stated. In addition, several Swiss-based sea transport and logistics companies operate around 900 ships.
However, the Swiss flag currently flies on only 14 ocean vessels, well down from the 50 ships in 2017. In that year, an embarrassing shipping fraud cost the taxpayer CHF215 million ($237 million), forcing a rethink of maritime strategy.
The government says it is “relaxing the registration requirements for merchant ships” to “create an attractive and competitive Swiss flag with a reliable regulatory framework”.
At the same time, Switzerland wants to play are larger role in developing international maritime law and research while “continuing its commitment in the areas of marine biodiversity, plastic pollution and climate protection”.
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Swiss merchant navy finds itself in deep water
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Bern prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into suspected irregularities surrounding the funding of Switzerland’s merchant navy.
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
‘Pressure will increase on Switzerland to invest more in defence’
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Markus Mäder, Switzerland's state secretary for security policy, believes that more cooperation is needed in order to strengthen defence in Europe.
Just one in five Swiss attend a religious service at Easter
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Only one in five people in Switzerland attend a religious service during the Easter period or give up meat or alcohol for at least one day of fasting. Around 25% of those polled see Easter primarily as a family holiday, according to the survey.
Major road disruptions continue after heavy snowfall in parts of Switzerland
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The snowfall has ended in the southern Swiss canton of Valais, the cantonal emergency services said on Friday. Several roads, however, remain closed.
Swiss businessman gets prison term for asbestos deaths
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Stephan Schmidheiny has been sentenced to 9 years and 6 months in prison by the Turin Court of Appeal in a case against the former Eternit executive over deaths linked to asbestos exposure in Italy.
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Swiss imports and exports reached new heights in the first quarter, driven by the chemicals and pharmaceuticals sectors. Shipments to the US rose sharply.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
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Switzerland rescues its merchant fleet
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Switzerland has only 14 cargo vessels remaining, down from 50 six years ago. Bern intends to slow the disappearance of its navy with a new strategy.
Shipowner gets five years in prison for fraudulent state credit claims
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A former shipowner has been sentenced to five years in prison for having falsified claims about his fleet in order to receive more credit guarantees from the Swiss state.
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Swiss Economics Minister Guy Parmelin has announced an administrative inquiry into huge government losses related to the Swiss merchant navy.
Demobilising Swiss merchant navy to cost another CHF100 million
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Eight more ships, from the Massmariner company, are to be sold off, bringing the size of the fleet down to 20. The government has asked parliament to stump up another CHF128.7 millionExternal link to cover the outstanding debts of the ships. Following their sale, losses are expected to amount to CHF100 million. In 2017, parliament…
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.