• Journal of the Society of Naval Architects of Korea
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.86-94
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• 2023

Tonnage taxation has contributed to developing the Korean maritime industry through tax relief for shipping companies. The current tonnage taxation relies on the net tonnage as an earning-capacity indicator in a merchant ship. Although the tonnage tax accords with horizontal equity, it does not match vertical equity because of the different taxable capacities of an individual company. Nowadays, maritime transport uses a dedicated vessel, and each shipping freight embeds a different value of time. It means the tonnage taxation regime should consider the added value of each shipping freight. Meanwhile, as the environmental regulations led by the International Maritime Organization are being strengthened, the Korean merchant fleet must be eco-friendly soon after. This study explores the alternative to renewing tonnage taxation by utilizing the Greenship certification and considering the ability-to-pay principle. Because the Greenship certification scheme encourages shipping decarbonization, maritime transport by a certified ocean-going vessel comes to be treated as an activity for the green economy. Special taxation for the green economy may contribute to shipping sustainability and market competitiveness.