英國面臨著失去海上服務領先優(yōu)勢的風險

英國面臨著失去海上服務領先優(yōu)勢的風險

Britain’s position as a top hub for maritime services is being eroded by competition, a loss of shipping finance business and the removal of tycoon-friendly tax breaks, a report said, deepening uncertainty for its financial sector as Brexit nears.

一份報告稱，隨著英國退歐的臨近，競爭、航運融資業(yè)務的虧損以及對大亨有利的減稅措施的取消，正在侵蝕英國作為全球最大海事服務中心的地位。這加劇了英國金融業(yè)的不確定性。

The UK has been a pivotal global shipping center for centuries, especially the City of London, and has dominated marine insurance, ship broking, shipping finance and other maritime services.

幾個世紀以來，英國一直是一個舉足輕重的全球航運中心，尤其是倫敦金融城，并主導著海上保險、船舶經紀、航運金融和其他海事服務。

These contribute $5.6 billion a year to Britain’s economy, providing employment for more than 10,000 people in highly skilled jobs, according to a report by consultancy PwC, commissioned by trade association Maritime London.

普華永道(pwc)咨詢公司委托倫敦海事貿易協(xié)會(trade association maritical london)發(fā)布的一份報告顯示，這些企業(yè)每年為英國經濟貢獻56億美元，為1萬多從事高技能工作的人提供就業(yè)機會。

But a shift in global shipping trade to Asia and tougher competition are adding to pressures on this niche sector, the report said.

但報告稱，全球航運貿易向亞洲轉移以及競爭加劇，正加大這一利基行業(yè)的壓力。

“We estimate that if the UK had maintained its market share over the last two years, this would have resulted in an additional $700 million p.a. (annually) in GVA (gross value added) for the UK economy,” said the report, published in partnership with the City of London Corporation.

這份與倫敦金融城合作發(fā)布的報告稱:“我們估計，如果英國在過去兩年保持其市場份額，這將為英國經濟帶來每年7億美元的GVA(總增加值)。”

The global maritime services market is estimated to be worth $20 billion annually.

據(jù)估計，全球海事服務市場每年價值200億美元。

“Significant ground has been lost to international competitors in recent years. Competitors such as the U.S., China, Norway and particularly Singapore, are all challenging in key areas of development and we must react,” said Harry Theochari, chair of the separate Maritime UK body.

“近年來，國際競爭對手已經失去了重要地位。美國、中國、挪威，特別是新加坡等競爭對手在發(fā)展的關鍵領域都面臨挑戰(zhàn)，我們必須做出反應，”英國獨立海事機構主席哈里·西奧查理(harry theochari)表示。

The report, launched at the start of London International Shipping Week, comes as Britain spins toward an election. Brexit remains up in the air, more than three years after Britons voted to leave the European Union. Options range from a turbulent “no-deal” exit to abandoning the whole endeavor.

這份報告是在倫敦國際航運周(London International Shipping Week)開始之際發(fā)布的，而此時英國正面臨大選。在英國人投票脫離歐盟三年多之后，英國退歐仍然懸而未決。選擇的范圍從混亂的“不交易”退出到放棄整個努力。

The report’s authors said their interviews with maritime services professionals “offered mixed views on the impact of Brexit on the UK’s perception as a politically stable country”.

該報告的作者說，他們對海事服務專業(yè)人士的采訪“就英國脫歐對英國作為一個政治穩(wěn)定國家的看法產生的影響提出了不同的看法”。

“Some pointed to opportunities to reduce regulation post-Brexit, while others expressed concerns about the availability of talent and the perception of the UK as ‘open for business’,” the report said.

報告說：“一些人指出了英國脫歐后減少監(jiān)管的機會，另一些人則對人才的可獲得性和英國‘對企業(yè)開放’的看法表示擔憂。”

The exodus from shipping finance by many leading lenders including Britain’s Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS.L) and Lloyds (LLOY.L) had affected London’s position as a money destination for international shipping firms, the report said.

報道稱，包括英國皇家蘇格蘭銀行(rbs.l)和勞埃德銀行(lloyds.l)在內的許多主要放貸機構紛紛撤離航運融資，影響了倫敦作為國際航運公司資金目的地的地位。

Separately, Britain’s decision to scrap tax breaks for long-term residents who claim “non-domicile” status led to the departure of prominent Greek players from London in recent years.

另外，英國決定取消對聲稱“無住所”身份的長期居民的減稅政策，導致近年來希臘知名人士離開倫敦。

“The UK needs to be more active in courting ship owners and other industry participants to come here,” the report said.

報告稱:“英國需要更積極地吸引船東和其他行業(yè)參與者來英國。”

“It is also vital that post-Brexit, the UK remains open and welcoming to foreign talent.”

“同樣重要的是，脫歐后，英國仍保持開放，歡迎外國人才。”

The report said the UK maintained 25% of the maritime services market. It recommended more efforts to bring dual listings to the London Stock Exchange to boost capital markets activity for shipping as well as taking a lead in developing environmental finance products, while providing tax incentives.

報告說，英國保持了25%的海運服務市場份額。它建議加大力度，在倫敦證交所實現(xiàn)雙重上市，以推動資本市場航運活動，并率先開發(fā)環(huán)境金融產品，同時提供稅收優(yōu)惠。

“What’s critical is that we work to strengthen the core of ship owners and charterers in the UK, which will provide a significant boost to the UK economy,” Maritime UK’s Theochari said.

英國海事協(xié)會的Theochari說:“關鍵是我們要努力加強英國船東和承租人的核心力量，這將為英國經濟帶來重大提振。”