2026-03-192025/26:TU10 · p.2TUTransport & infrastructure
Swedish shipping competitiveness
The competitiveness of Swedish shipping and reflagging
What's at stake: About 90 percent of Swedish imports and exports travel by sea, and a shrinking Swedish-flagged fleet affects competitiveness, access to maritime expertise, and the state's control over transport infrastructure in crisis and war.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether the government should develop a dedicated strategy to get more ships to fly the Swedish flag and counter reflagging, or whether measures already taken — such as abolishing the stamp duty on ship mortgages and improving tonnage taxation — are sufficient to strengthen the competitiveness of Swedish shipping.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee welcomes the measures already taken to strengthen the competitiveness of Swedish shipping and counter reflagging, including abolishing the stamp duty on ship mortgages, improving tonnage taxation, and simplifying rules for chartering ships in and out. The committee stresses that the regulatory framework must remain compatible with EU state-aid rules, and recommends rejecting the motions calling for a dedicated strategy.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 3 (S, V, MP)
The reservation (S, V and MP) wants the government to work forcefully against reflagging, which threatens national supply security, and to develop a strategy for more ships to fly the Swedish flag. A stable Swedish-flagged fleet is needed for competitiveness, the environment and national defense, but competitiveness must not be achieved by allowing disreputable operators or low environmental and labor standards.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 3 by S, V, MP.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
The decision would have gone the other way
Explicit commitments that contradicted the vote: KDKristdemokraterna, SDSverigedemokraterna
Ja 149–124Nej 74–199
Counterfactual: the parties above are moved to the position their own documents explicitly point at, carrying their whole contingent present. Every other party keeps its real figures, including dissenters and absentees.
How the AI parties would have voted
For each party: what its own plan – election manifesto and party programme – argues for in this case, next to how the party actually voted. The AI can only answer Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| AI | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/17/0/5 | match | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| S | No | No 0/93/0/13 | match | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | No | No 0/13/0/5 | match | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| C | No | Abstain 0/0/21/3 | differs | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 12/0/0/4 | differs | confidence: low | derived |
| KD | No | Yes 14/0/0/5 | differsagainst own programme | confidence: medium | explicit |
| M | No | Yes 60/0/0/8 | differs | confidence: low | derived |
| SD | No | Yes 61/0/0/10 | differsagainst own programme | confidence: high | explicit |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2025/26:159 by Eric Palmqvist (SD) motion 2, 2025/26:351 by Mats Green (M), 2025/26:599 by Serkan Köse and Hanna Westerén (both S), 2025/26:2780 by Nooshi Dadgostar et al. (V) motion 52, 2025/26:3653 by Aylin Nouri et al. (S) motions 78 and 79, and 2025/26:3728 by Ulrika Heie et al. (C) motion 54.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2025/26:159 av Eric Palmqvist (SD) yrkande 2, 2025/26:351 av Mats Green (M), 2025/26:599 av Serkan Köse och Hanna Westerén (båda S), 2025/26:2780 av Nooshi Dadgostar m.fl. (V) yrkande 52, 2025/26:3653 av Aylin Nouri m.fl. (S) yrkandena 78 och 79 samt 2025/26:3728 av Ulrika Heie m.fl. (C) yrkande 54.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag rejected 79 proposals in motions from the general motion period 2025 regarding maritime matters. The proposals dealt with, among other things, Swedish shipping competitiveness, ice-breaking, environmental and climate issues, and recreational boating matters. The Riksdag referred, among other things, to measures already taken and to ongoing work in the areas covered by the proposals.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants the regulations for the Swedish Maritime Administration to be reformed to create fair competition between transport modes. (S, V, MP) — Reservation 3
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan wants to direct heavy transport to sustainable shipping and rail, which presupposes a functioning Swedish-flagged fleet.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to direct heavy transport to sustainable shipping and rail, which presupposes a functioning Swedish-flagged fleet. It simultaneously identifies wage dumping and exploitation as central threats and requires that all employees in Sweden are protected by strong collective agreements. The counter-proposal's demand for a strategy against flagging-out that explicitly may not be built on unserious actors or poor working conditions therefore aligns with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill styra tunga transporter till hållbar sjöfart och järnväg, vilket förutsätter en fungerande svenskflaggad flotta. Den pekar samtidigt ut lönedumpning och utnyttjande som centrala hot och kräver att alla anställda i Sverige skyddas av starka kollektivavtal. Motförslagets krav på en strategi mot utflaggning som uttryckligen inte får bygga på oseriösa aktörer eller låga arbetsvillkor ligger därför i linje med planen.
- cargo to shipping and raildecisive»Tunga transporter behöver styras till järnväg och hållbar sjöfart.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Heavy transport needs to be directed to rail and sustainable shipping.”
- against wage dumping»Lönedumpning, ekonomisk brottslighet och utnyttjande är centrala hot idag.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Wage dumping, economic crime and exploitation are central threats today.”
- collective agreements for all employees»anställda i Sverige ska skyddas av starka kollektivavtal.« (party programme ↗)“employees in Sweden shall be protected by strong collective agreements.”
- provision capacity in crisis»bred förmåga att möta olika former av kriser Sverige kan ställas inför.« (party programme ↗)“broad capacity to meet various forms of crises Sweden may face.”
The plan requires strong infrastructure for preparedness and sees it as serious that societally critical functions have been handed over to market actors, which bears the counter-proposal's requirement for a strategy against vessel reflagging and more Swedish-flagged vessels for supply and total defence reasons.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires strong infrastructure for preparedness and sees it as serious that societally critical functions have been handed over to market actors, which bears the counter-proposal's requirement for a strategy against vessel reflagging and more Swedish-flagged vessels for supply and total defence reasons. The condition that competitiveness shall not be achieved through disreputable actors or dumped terms corresponds to the plan's requirement for collective agreements as the norm and combating workplace crime. The shipping industry's flag question is not directly addressed in the documents.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver stark infrastruktur för beredskap och ser det som allvarligt att samhällsviktiga funktioner överlåtits till marknadsaktörer, vilket bär motförslagets krav på en strategi mot utflaggning och fler svenskflaggade fartyg av försörjnings- och totalförsvarsskäl. Villkoret att konkurrenskraften inte får nås genom oseriösa aktörer eller dumpade villkor motsvaras av planens krav på kollektivavtal som norm och bekämpande av arbetslivskriminalitet. Sjöfartens flaggfråga behandlas inte direkt i dokumenten.
- supply capacity in preparednessdecisive»Stark infrastruktur för stärkt beredskap.« (party programme ↗)“Strong infrastructure for strengthened preparedness.”
- collective agreements as the norm»Kollektivavtal som norm, försvar av den svenska modellen.« (party programme ↗)“Collective agreements as the norm, defence of the Swedish model.”
- no disreputable actors»Bekämpande av kriminalitet på arbetsmarknaden.« (party programme ↗)“Combating crime in the labour market.”
- export-dependent maritime transport»Insatser för att främja svensk export, värna frihandeln och motverka protektionism.« (party programme ↗)“Measures to promote Swedish exports, protect free trade and counter protectionism.”
The plan wants to shift goods from road to rail and shipping and emphasises that self-sufficiency in necessary goods must increase to manage crises — both speak for a Swedish-flagged fleet and a strategy against flag-out.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to shift goods from road to rail and shipping and emphasises that self-sufficiency in necessary goods must increase to manage crises — both speak for a Swedish-flagged fleet and a strategy against flag-out. The plan simultaneously sets the boundary at working conditions: strong measures are required against employers who exploit labour, and the Swedish model should be protected. That is precisely the counter-proposal's reservation.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill flytta över gods från landsväg till järnväg och sjöfart och betonar att självförsörjningsgraden av nödvändiga varor måste öka för att klara kriser — båda talar för en svenskflaggad flotta och en strategi mot utflaggning. Planen sätter samtidigt gränsen vid arbetsvillkoren: krafttag krävs mot arbetsgivare som exploaterar arbetskraft, och den svenska modellen ska värnas. Det är precis motförslagets förbehåll.
- goods to shippingdecisive»överflyttning från landsväg till järnväg och sjöfart.« (party programme ↗)“shifting goods from road to rail and shipping.”
- supply capacity in crisis»självförsörjningsgrad av viktiga och nödvändiga produkter« (party programme ↗)“self-sufficiency in important and necessary products”
- no reduced working conditions»Det krävs krafttag mot arbetsgivare som exploaterar utländsk« (party programme ↗)“Strong measures are required against employers who exploit foreign”
- Swedish model protected»Miljöpartiet värnar den svenska modellen, där fackföreningar och arbetsgivare« (party programme ↗)“The Greens value the Swedish model, where unions and employers”
The plan requires that shipping transition to renewable fuels with strengthened competitiveness and that Sweden's competitiveness as an entrepreneurial nation be strengthened when production moves abroad.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that shipping transition to renewable fuels with strengthened competitiveness and that Sweden's competitiveness as an entrepreneurial nation be strengthened when production moves abroad. It also links preparedness to important functions remaining in the country. A strategy against reflagging, without competitiveness being achieved through low environmental and working conditions, thus aligns with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att sjöfarten ställer om till förnybara drivmedel med stärkt konkurrenskraft och att Sveriges konkurrenskraft som företagarnation förstärks när produktion flyttar utomlands. Den kopplar också beredskapen till att viktiga funktioner finns kvar i landet. En strategi mot utflaggning, utan att konkurrenskraften nås genom låga miljö- och arbetsvillkor, ligger därför i linje med planen.
- shipping competitivenessdecisive»Mer behöver göras för att flyget, sjöfarten och jordbruket ska kunna ställa om till förnybara drivmedel med stärkt konkurrenskraft.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“More needs to be done for aviation, shipping and agriculture to be able to transition to renewable fuels with strengthened competitiveness.”
- prevent relocation of production»Vår konkurrenskraft som företagarnation måste därför förstärkas så att det även fortsättningsvis kan skapas och utvecklas företag, i större och mindre skala, i Sverige.« (party programme ↗)“Our competitiveness as an entrepreneurial nation must therefore be strengthened so that companies continue to be created and developed, at larger and smaller scale, in Sweden.”
- requirements for working conditions and environment»Sverige klarar sig inte utan frihandel. Öppna upp fler marknader för svenska varor och tjänster. Ställ hårdare krav på arbetsvillkor, miljö och klimat i handelsavtal.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden cannot manage without free trade. Open more markets for Swedish goods and services. Set harder requirements on working conditions, environment and climate in trade agreements.”
- preparedness requires own fleet»Även det civila försvaret är livsviktigt. Vi måste rusta civilförsvaret och samhällets beredskap inför krig och kris.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Civil defence too is vital. We must strengthen civil defence and society's preparedness for war and crisis.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan establishes that good opportunities for maritime transport are an important part of infrastructure and that taxes must be internationally competitive for Sweden to be attractive for businesses.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that good opportunities for maritime transport are an important part of infrastructure and that taxes must be internationally competitive for Sweden to be attractive for businesses. It also requires that civil defence be strengthened at the same rate as military defence, which presupposes supply capability at sea. A strategy against flag-out follows from this, but the flag question is not addressed directly.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att goda möjligheter till sjötransporter är ett viktigt inslag i infrastrukturen och att skatterna måste vara internationellt konkurrenskraftiga för att Sverige ska vara attraktivt för företag. Den kräver också att det civila försvaret stärks i samma takt som det militära, vilket förutsätter försörjningsförmåga till sjöss. En strategi mot utflaggning följer av detta, men flaggfrågan behandlas inte direkt.
- maritime transport's importancedecisive»Goda möjligheter till sjötransporter är ett viktigt inslag i infrastrukturen.« (party programme ↗)“Good opportunities for maritime transport are an important part of the infrastructure.”
- competitive taxes»vårt land ska vara attraktivt för kapital, företag och högutbildad arbetskraft behöver skatterna« (party programme ↗)“our country shall be attractive for capital, business and highly educated labour, taxes must be”
- strengthened civil defence»Antalet anställda och värnpliktiga i krigsorganisationen ska öka, ny materiel tillföras och det civila försvaret stärkas i samma takt som det militära.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The number of employees and conscripts in the war organization shall increase, new equipment shall be added and civil defence shall be strengthened at the same rate as military defence.”
- serious actors on the market»Marknaden fungerar bäst i samhällen som präglas av tillit, hederlighet och ansvarstagande,« (party programme ↗)“The market functions best in societies characterized by trust, honesty and responsibility-taking,”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan establishes that Sweden's position as a maritime nation should be strong through long-term and competitive conditions, which is precisely what the counter-proposal wants to achieve with a strategy against flag transfer.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that Sweden's position as a maritime nation should be strong through long-term and competitive conditions, which is precisely what the counter-proposal wants to achieve with a strategy against flag transfer. Economic defense is according to the plan an important part of total defense, which supports the argument about national self-sufficiency. The requirement that competitiveness must not be achieved through low environmental and labor conditions corresponds to the plan's demand for prioritized maritime safety and good working conditions.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att Sveriges ställning som sjöfartsnation bör vara stark genom långsiktiga och konkurrenskraftiga villkor, vilket är precis det motförslaget vill uppnå med en strategi mot utflaggning. Det ekonomiska försvaret är enligt planen en viktig del av totalförsvaret, vilket bär argumentet om den nationella försörjningsförmågan. Kravet på att konkurrenskraften inte får nås genom låga miljö- och arbetsvillkor motsvarar planens krav på prioriterad sjösäkerhet och god arbetsmiljö.
- strong maritime nationdecisive»ställning som sjöfartsnation bör vara stark genom långsiktiga och konkurrenskraftiga villkor.« (party programme ↗)“position as a maritime nation should be strong through long-term and competitive conditions.”
- economic defense»Det ekonomiska försvaret är en viktig del av totalförsvaret.« (party programme ↗)“Economic defense is an important part of total defense.”
- prioritized maritime safety»Sjösäkerheten ska prioriteras.« (party programme ↗)“Maritime safety shall be prioritized.”
- good working conditions»Ett väl fungerande arbetarskydd och god arbetsmiljö ska ta hänsyn till såväl« (party programme ↗)“A well-functioning worker protection and good working conditions shall take into account both”
The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.
The plan links the new security situation to the requirement for reduced vulnerability and increased self-sufficiency and wants to ensure long-term planning for civil defense, which requires own transport capacity at sea.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan links the new security situation to the requirement for reduced vulnerability and increased self-sufficiency and wants to ensure long-term planning for civil defense, which requires own transport capacity at sea. A strategy against flag transfers [outflagging] would meet that need. The plan's way to strengthen competitiveness is, however, lower taxes, not new strategies.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kopplar det nya säkerhetsläget till kravet på minskad sårbarhet och ökad självförsörjning och vill säkra en långsiktig planering för det civila försvaret, vilket förutsätter egen transportförmåga till sjöss. En strategi mot utflaggning svarar mot det behovet. Planens sätt att stärka konkurrenskraften är dock lägre skatter, inte nya strategier.
- reduced vulnerabilitydecisive»Det nya säkerhetsläget i Europa gör att vi som land måste minska vår sårbarhet och öka vår självförsörjningsgrad.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The new security situation in Europe means that we as a nation must reduce our vulnerability and increase our self-sufficiency.”
- civil defense requires transport capacity»Säkra en långsiktig planering för det civila försvaret« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Ensure long-term planning for civil defense”
- competitiveness through lower taxes»Stärka drivkrafterna för investeringar, forskning och entreprenörskap, genom lägre skatter på företagande« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen incentives for investments, research, and entrepreneurship through lower taxes on business”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The counter-proposal wishes the government to counter flag-switching and develop a strategy for more Swedish-flagged vessels, citing competitiveness and total defence.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The counter-proposal wishes the government to counter flag-switching and develop a strategy for more Swedish-flagged vessels, citing competitiveness and total defence. The election manifesto explicitly commits to strengthening Swedish shipping precisely to secure jobs and training opportunities and because shipping is part of total defence. The demand thus corresponds to the plan's own stance.
Original (Swedish)
Motförslaget vill att regeringen motverkar utflaggningen och tar fram en strategi för fler svenskflaggade fartyg, med hänvisning till konkurrenskraft och totalförsvar. Valmanifestet åtar sig uttryckligen att stärka den svenska sjöfarten just för att säkra arbets- och utbildningstillfällen och för att sjöfarten är en del av totalförsvaret. Kravet motsvarar därmed planens egen ståndpunkt.
- Swedish-flagged shipping for total defencedecisive»Vi behöver även stärka den svenska sjöfarten för att säkra arbets- och utbildningstillfällen men inte minst för att sjöfarten är en del av totalförsvaret.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We also need to strengthen Swedish shipping to secure jobs and training opportunities, but not least because shipping is part of total defence.”
- strengthened Swedish shipping»Stärka svensk sjöfart« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen Swedish shipping”
- shipping carries trade»Hamnar och sjöfarten är en viktig del i Sveriges import och export.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Ports and shipping are an important part of Sweden's imports and exports.”
- Swedish competitiveness»Prioritera svensk industri och konkurrenskraft« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Prioritize Swedish industry and competitiveness”
The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2025/26:TU10)
- Committee report full text (HD01TU10)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2025/26:1155 — Reformering av Gotlandstillägget av Hanna Westerén (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1342 — Rimliga villkor för Gotlandstrafiken av Hanna Westerén m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1409 — Svenskt sjöfolks rätt att komma hem till Sverige av Johanna Rantsi (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1429 — Hamnstrategi för Sverige av Teresa Carvalho m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:159 — En nationell hamn- och sjöfartsstrategi av Eric Palmqvist (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:1626 — Förbud mot utsläpp från skrubbrar i hela Sveriges vatten, inklusive ekonomiska zonen av Magnus Manhammar och Eva Lindh (båda S)
- Motion 2025/26:1902 — Obligatoriskt båtregister för fritidsbåtar av Magnus Manhammar (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1922 — Oljeutsläpp från fartygstrafik av Magnus Manhammar och Heléne Björklund (båda S)
- Motion 2025/26:1933 — Centrala register för arbetsmaskiner och båtar av Marie Nicholson (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1987 — Fler svenska hamnar blir gränsövergångsställen av Johanna Rantsi (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2243 — Flexibel av- och påmönstring i våra svenska godshamnar av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2484 — Gotlandstrafiken av Jesper Skalberg Karlsson (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2492 — Internationella upphandlingar med isbrytaren Oden av Ann-Charlotte Hammar Johnsson (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2637 — Översyn av hastighetsbegränsningar för nya eldrivna båtmodeller och förarlös sjötrafik av Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist (C)
- Motion 2025/26:2780 — Transporteffektivt och hållbart samhälle av Nooshi Dadgostar m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2025/26:2784 — Biologisk mångfald av Nooshi Dadgostar m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2025/26:2789 — Klimatet av Nooshi Dadgostar m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2025/26:2825 — Vatten, hav och fiske av Stina Larsson m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2025/26:2849 — Satsning på Stockholms skärgård av Markus Wiechel (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:3070 — Kunskaps- och säkerhetskrav för framförandet av vissa fritidsbåtar av Markus Wiechel (SD)
Source: The Swedish Parliament