Nautilus International is playing an integral role in a new pilot project aimed at revitalising the Swiss flag, marking a rare moment of optimism for Switzerland’s deepsea shipping sector and the seafarers who keep it moving.
After Parliament rejected the introduction of a tonnage tax in 2024 – dealing a blow to hopes of reversing the decline of the Swiss fleet – attention has shifted to practical reforms that could make the flag more competitive from 2025 onwards. Momentum has been driven by the Department of Economic Affairs under its new head, Helene Budliger Artieda, a strong supporter of the maritime industry.
At the same time, the Swiss Maritime Navigation Office (SMNO), which administers the Swiss flag, has undergone reorganisation. Registration processes and related services are being modernised and digitised, with the aim of matching the efficiency offered by leading international registries.
Outdated maritime legislation is also being revised. Longstanding restrictions on ownership structures, capital requirements, foreign financing and bareboat chartering are being relaxed to reflect global industry norms.
By the end of 2026, a pilot project will see three to four new vessels added to the current 11 registered under the Swiss flag, creating a template for future growth. Three Swiss shipping companies, previously operating under flags of convenience, have already committed to the project and to joining the Swiss Maritime Cluster – a collaborative forum coordinated and moderated by the SMNO that brings together key stakeholders involved in Swiss maritime activity.
Working through SMNO and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) – the Swiss federal government's centre of expertise on economic policy – Nautilus is advising the Cluster on social security and employment conditions, ensuring that seafarers' rights sit at the heart of Switzerland's renewed maritime ambition
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