The Special Registry of Ships of the Canary Islands, known as REBECA, is in clear decline, unable to attract new registrations. REBECA was born in 1992 within the REF to attract the flagging of national and international ships and shipping companies. However, despite having some appeal in the early years, the non-existent commercialization of this economic revitalization tool has meant that it is no longer an option. There is a significant lack of awareness of the advantages it entails.
The economic, social and geopolitical impact of the maritime sector is undeniable. To the extent that a country increases its merchant fleet, its economy grows. But it seems that we have forgotten this and we are not aware of the potential it represents and how it could give a serious boost to our economy. The issue is that this registry is managed by the Maritime Captaincies existing in the ports of the capital islands and, to date, despite the enormous fiscal attractiveness of its figure, it has not achieved the desired implementation and development. One of the keys is the lack of commercialization.
REBECA offers a series of tax breaks and advantages that are very competitive for the sector, although it is true that these advantages have been very limited compared to some incentives launched by other countries. And although shipowners can benefit in the Corporate Tax and in the Social Security contributions for ships registered in REBECA, there are countries that guarantee lower labor and social costs at the expense of the crew.
Be that as it may, there are still many things that can be done so that this tool is not lost and becomes attractive again as one more element that helps us in the economic diversification towards which we must move. Therefore, the commercialization work must be forceful and here the Canary Islands Chambers of Commerce can carry out a work that they know well.
The Chambers of Commerce, public law corporations, promoters of the economic development of their demarcations, representatives of the whole of economic activity and expressly of navigation, can assume the task of managing and promoting this ship registry with great success. The national Chamber Network, with 85 chambers in the Spanish territory, together with the International Network of Chambers, present throughout the world, can act as transmitters to the rest of the territories and disseminate this valuable tool for our economy. The Chambers already manage other commercial registers and have proven experience in this.
The Canary Islands Chambers of Commerce can be great ambassadors in the commercialization of this instrument while the Maritime Captaincy continues with its inspection work. And it is not only about what it would contribute economically to the islands, not even about the tax incentives or other advantages that we can improve, it is also about asserting this registry with its security guarantees, in a framework that respects human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and there we have no competition.
By José Torres Fuentes, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Lanzarote and La Graciosa
