International shipping adviser Moore Stephens drew responses from 282 people of the sector, including shipowners, brokers and managers from all over the world.

More than half of them said a “Yes” vote on 18 September along with a move away from the pound would have an adverse impact on Scotland’s activities.

They mostly feared that the country would become isolated in the wider international community.

The Scottish government has been pressurized by the UK Chamber of Shipping to provide more details on how it plans to support the maritime industry in a post-“Yes” Scotland.

According to the survey, the three major factors which are most likely to influence the resilience of Scottish shipping and offshore industry are the currency, the tax system and the oil and gas industry.

Cassie Forman, Moore Stephens director, shipping and offshore maritime, said: “Unsurprisingly, issues such as currency, the taxation system, tonnage tax and the ability of Scotland to administer an efficient and cost-effective shipping administration dominated the comments from respondents.”

Most of those afraid of a likely independence have business relationships with Scotland while respondents with no business ties deem a “Yes” vote as positive.

The average confidence level in the future of Scottish shipping expressed by those who took part in the survey was 6.1 (on a scale of 1 to 10).

“Irrespective of the outcome of the vote on 18 September, Scotland will be looking to strengthen its position in what is arguably the world’s most international industry,” Forman said.