TTM03560 | Qualifying companies and ships: Towage, salvage or other marine assistance

Definition

This category relates principally, but not exclusively, to tugs and Emergency Response and Rescue Vessels (ERRV’s). ‘Marine assistance’ should be read ejusdem generis with ‘towage’ and ‘salvage’.

• Towage will be the towing of another ship, vessel or structure. This second ship or structure need not itself be qualifying as, for example, the towing of an oil-rig.

• Salvage includes the rescue of a ship, its cargo or other property from loss at sea, including recovery of a sunken vessel. The profits from the sale of salvaged goods are taxable outside the ring fence.

• Marine assistance may take many forms, such as anchor handling of rigs or standby duties for the towing of vessels in danger near ports. It is important to consider what the ship is used for.

Not all tugs will qualify under this heading. Since 1 July 2005 only tugs engaged for more than 50% of their operational time in towage, salvage and marine assistance at sea may qualify for tonnage tax. Thus tugs operating primarily in and around ports and harbours are no longer qualifying ships (see TTM03680 and TTM03685).

Examples

For examples see TTM03570.