Europe opened an investigation in February 2024, following a complaint filed by Corsica Ferries. The aim is to judge the relevance of the aid amounting to 853.6 million euros granted by Paris to Corsica Linea and La Méridionale, responsible for the DSP 203-2030. The commission delivered its verdict and gave the green light to this aid.
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“The positive decision made by the European Commission is excellent news because it secures and perpetuates the framework of the public service delegation for maritime services to Corsica. It also strengthens Marseille as the freight port for Corsica”reacted Pierre-Antoine Villanova, CEO of Corsica Linea, in a statement.
The shipping company is one of the two companies, with La Méridionale, to provide connections between Corsica and Marseille as part of the public service delegation between 2023 and 2030. They benefit, as such, from financial aid. 'an amount of 853.6 million euros, paid by France, under “compensation de service public”.
But in the spring of 2023, Corsica Ferries, a competing company which provides services to several ports on the island from Toulon, and is not its first conflict with the CdC, filed a complaint with the European Commission, contesting the compliance of this aid with European rules on state aid.
In the process, Brussels opened an investigation on February 23, in order, among other things, to verify “if the inclusion of the transport of towed goods and road drivers in the contracts is justified by a need for a public service, taking into account the already existence of a commercial offer on the market”.
Insured from Toulon, outside the perimeter of the DSP…
Illustration. A ship of the Corsica Ferries.
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© Axelle Bouschon / FTV
This Tuesday, November 26, the European Commission, “after a thorough investigation, the conclusion “that the measures complied with EU rules on state aid.”
His investigations demonstrated that “the market supply available in the neighboring ports of Marseille could not satisfy the entire demand of users using the port of Marseille for their towed freight exchanges with Corsica”.
The commission also highlighted the risk of “ship saturation”, who could “harm the proper functioning of public services and affect the needs of passengers”, without a DSP within its current scope.
Paris and Ajaccio welcomed Brussels' decision.
The Executive Council of Corsica said it was satisfied with “this positive outcome, acquired at the end of clear political choices and a long legal journey aimed at defending, in the maritime domain as in the air domain, public service, optimal management of public money, social guarantees and environmental issues, the optimization of services to Corsica, and, in general, the best interests of Corsica and the Corsicans.
Catherine Vautrin, Minister of Partnership with Territories and Decentralization, for her part welcomed a decision that “reaffirms the importance and need for public service for maritime services between Corsica and Marseille (…). This decision is the result of quality work carried out by all of our administrations, in collaboration with the Corsican community and its transport office This is an important first step to guarantee island stakeholders a peaceful horizon for maritime services between Corsica and the continent.
Once the decision has been notified to the stakeholders, it may be challenged before the General Court of the European Union.
