Several Greek shipping players, including top-tier names, have taken tentative steps towards shifting activities to Cyprus.
They appear to have filed placeholder company registrations in Cyprus over recent months, according to official data from the island republic’s authorities.
The list of those filing, or that have already obtained, registrations, reads like a Who’s Who of Greek-controlled shipping companies.
Owners and managers, however, tell TradeWinds that it is a precautionary paper exercise in case the cash-strapped Athens government is forced to increase shipping taxes to such an extent that Greece becomes uncompetitive.
