Emanuele Grimaldi would love to have more ships on the UK shipping register. But uncertainties caused by Brexit make that difficult and may push things in the opposite direction.
Grimaldi — who was a member of a delegation to visit Downing Street during London International Shipping Week — warns that Britain's withdrawal from the European Union could have consequences for part of his fleet.
His company has five conros in operation for Atlantic Container Line sailing under the UK register and he describes the UK as a pro-maritime country.
But he may be “obliged” to take action if Brexit leads to problems with operating the vessels. Grimaldi, a former head of the European Community Shipowners' Association, singles out the threat of double taxation and the free movement of labour.
Separately, he has talked down the importance of a split at the Italian shipowners' association, Confitarma, where he recently ended a four-year stint as president.
Although several companies have resigned, he says the numbers were mainly limited to those controlled by foreign owners.
Evergreen's Italia Marittima, Mediterranean Shipping Co-controlled Grandi Navi Veloci and associated company Ignazio Messina quit in June.
Grimaldi hopes another dissenting company — Rome-based d’Amico Group — will rejoin. He describes Confitarma as the only Italian shipping association that can make its views known as a member of international lobbies.
