Non-EU seafarers in Italy: the Ukraine decree may be the solution
Two amendments to the decree presented by Italia Viva would extend the possibility for non-EU workers to remain on board beyond the current limit of 90 days.
"To address the complex issue of maritime visas and avert significant economic repercussions and major complications for shipowners in the commercial, cruise, and nautical sectors, Italia Viva has submitted two amendments to the Ukraine Decree that offer a solution to the problem." This was stated by Raffaella Paita, MP for Italia Viva, who added: "Thanks to the willingness of Italia Viva Senator Mauro Maria Marino, who has taken on the issue, the Senate has submitted, at my instigation and that of Undersecretary Scalfarotto, who has closely followed the issue, two amendments to the decree that aim to unravel the tangle of visa requirements for non-Schengen workers employed on board ships docked in our ports."
The Ligurian parliamentarian recalls that "the current regulations effectively required shipowners to reduce the working period of their crew members on board their vessels to 90 days. This compromised their ability to use them for the entire period permitted by the customs regime. This obstacle pushed shipowners in the nautical sector to choose destinations other than Italy, with negative economic repercussions for the port industry." France, Spain, and other Mediterranean countries promptly seized on Italy's weakness to steal market share and, consequently, superyachts in the charter and refit segments.
The solution proposed by Italia Viva can be deduced from this latest statement by the Honorable Paita: "Authorizing seafarers on board ships to carry out work on board for as long as necessary (and in any case not exceeding one year) could be a tool capable of resolving the issue and restoring Italian ports to their natural central role."
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