The European Commission has launched an investigation to check whether a Spanish scheme for the purchase of ships involving leasing and financing through tax relief is compatible with EU rules on state aid.

This scheme would enable maritime transport companies to purchase ships, under certain conditions, at prices that are between 20% and 30% lower than the market price.

At this stage, the Commission considers that this scheme comprises state aid for the Economic Interest Groups involved, the taxpayers investing in it and the maritime companies purchasing the vessels, and possibly also for the shipyards and certain intermediaries.

For further details see: http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/825&format=HTML&aged=0&language=en&guiLanguage=en