Ships’ crews suffer under flag of convenience

IT is estimated that during 2007 the value of Irish exports will be about €91 billion and imports will be around €64bn.

More than 98% of the goods concerned will be transported through our ports.

There are fewer than 100 cargo vessels beneficially owned in Ireland operating either under our national flag. Most of these ships are of the smaller coastal variety. Thus, the vast bulk of our exports and imports have to be carried by foreign owned and flagged ships.