COMMISSION DECISION (EU) 2022/348
of 17 June 2021
on the measures SA.32014, SA.32015, SA.32016 (2011/C) (ex 2011/NN) implemented by Italy and the Region of Tuscany for Toremar and its acquirer Moby
(notified under document C(2022) 4271)
(Only the Italian version is authentic)
(Text with EEA relevance)
1.
PROCEDURE
2.
BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION OF THE MEASURES SUBJECT TO INVESTIGATION
2.1.
General framework
2.1.1.
The initial Conventions
2.1.2.
The prolongation of the initial Conventions
Company |
Maximum annual compensation |
Tirrenia |
EUR 72 685 642 |
Siremar |
EUR 55 694 895 |
Saremar |
EUR 13 686 441 |
Toremar |
EUR 13 005 441 |
Caremar |
EUR 29 869 832 (17) |
2.1.3.
The privatisation of Toremar and the conclusion of the new service contract
2.2.
Measures in scope of the 2011 and 2012 Decisions
2.3.
Detailed description of the measures subject to the present Decision
2.3.1.
The prolongation of the initial Convention between Toremar and Italy
2.3.1.1. The public service obligations
2.3.1.2. Budget and duration
Year |
Compensation |
Reserve |
Total |
2009 |
13 572 035 |
|
13 572 035 |
2010 |
13 005 441 |
3 000 000 |
16 005 441 |
2011 |
13 005 441 |
3 000 000 |
16 005 441 |
2.3.2.
Toremar’s privatisation
2.3.2.1. The sale procedure and final award
2.3.2.2. The sale contract
2.3.2.3. Proceedings at national level
2.3.3.
The new service contract between the Region of Tuscany and Moby/Toremar
2.3.3.1. The beneficiary
2.3.3.2. The routes
Livorno – Gorgona – Capraia (Line A1) |
Piombino – Portoferraio (island of Elba) (Line A2) |
Piombino– Cavo – Portoferraio (island of Elba) (Line A2 fast) |
Piombino – Rio Marina – Porto Azzurro – Pianosa (island of Elba) (Line A3) |
Porto S. Stefano – Island of Giglio (Line A4) |
Porto S. Stefano – Giannutri (Line A5) |
2.3.3.3. Duration
2.3.3.4. The public service obligations
2.3.3.5. The compensation provisions and final award
2.3.4.
The berthing priority
2.3.5.
The measures laid down by the 2010 Law
2.4.
Infringement procedure No 2007/4609
3.
GROUNDS FOR INITIATING AND EXTENDING THE PROCEDURE
3.1.
The prolongation of the initial Convention between Toremar and Italy
3.1.1.
Observance of Altmark and existence of aid
3.1.2.
Compatibility
3.2.
Toremar’s privatisation
3.3.
The new service contract between the Region of Tuscany and Moby/Toremar
3.3.1.
Observance of Altmark and existence of aid
3.3.2.
Compatibility
3.4.
The berthing priority
3.5.
The measures laid down by the 2010 Law
4.
COMMENTS FROM ITALY
4.1.
On the public service obligations and the competitive environment
4.2.
On the privatisation of Toremar
4.2.1.
On the sale price of Toremar
4.2.2.
On the transparent and non-discriminatory character of the procedure
4.3.
On the compliance of the prolongation of the initial Convention and of the new public service contract with the
Altmark
conditions
4.4.
On the 9,95 % rate of return used for 2010 and on the 6,5 % risk premium laid down in the CIPE Directive as of 2010
4.5.
On the berthing priority
4.6.
On the measures laid down by the 2010 Law
4.7.
On the compliance of the prolongation of the initial Convention and of the new public service contract with the 2011 SGEI Decision
4.8.
On the compliance of the initial Convention and of the new public service contract with the 2011 SGEI Framework
5.
COMMENTS FROM MOBY/TOREMAR
5.1.
On the public service obligations and the competitive environment
5.2.
On the privatisation of Toremar
5.2.1.
On the price paid for Toremar’s shares
5.2.2.
On the transparent and non-discriminatory character of the procedure and on the bundling of the assets of Toremar with a new public service contract
5.3.
On the compliance of the new public service contract with the
Altmark
conditions
5.4.
On the prolongation of the initial Convention between Toremar and Italy
6.
ASSESSMENT
6.1.
Existence of aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) TFEU
6.1.1.
The prolongation of the initial Convention between Toremar and Italy
6.1.1.1. State resources
6.1.1.2. Selectivity
6.1.1.3. Economic advantage
6.1.1.4. Effect on competition and trade
6.1.1.5. Conclusion
6.1.1.6. New or existing aid
6.1.2.
The award of the new public service contract bundled with Toremar’s business to Moby/Toremar
6.1.2.1. Altmark 1
(1) User demand
Year |
Line A1 |
Line A2 |
Line A2 fast |
Line A3 |
Line A4 |
Line A5 |
Total No of passengers |
2012 |
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2013 |
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2014 |
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2015 |
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2016 |
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2017 |
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2018 |
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Year |
Line A1 |
Line A2 |
Line A2 fast |
Line A3 |
Line A4 |
Line A5 |
Total No of vehicles |
2012 |
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2013 |
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2014 |
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2015 |
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2016 |
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2017 |
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2018 |
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(2) Existence of market failure
Route |
Moby/Toremar (all year round sailings per day) |
Competitors (sailings per day) |
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Livorno – Gorgona – Capraia (Line A1) |
Mixed service (passengers and vehicles) |
None |
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Portoferraio –Piombino (island of Elba) (Line A2) |
Mixed service with an average of:
|
Moby (mixed service all year round) with an average of:
Blu Navy (mixed service)
Elba Ferries (mixed service from June to September) with an average of 5 to 6 sailings |
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Piombino –Cavo – Portoferraio (island of Elba (Line A2 fast) |
Fast passenger service |
None |
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Piombino – Rio Marina – Pianosa (island of Elba) (Line A3) |
Mixed service |
None |
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Porto S. Stefano – Island of Giglio (Line A4) |
Mixed service with an average of:
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Maregiglio (mixed service all year round) with an average of:
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Porto S. Stefano – Giannutri (Line A5) |
Passenger service offered by Maregiglio on subcontract with Moby/Toremar(70) |
None |
(3) Least harmful approach
6.1.2.2. Altmark 2
6.1.2.3. Altmark 3
EUR |
Public compensation under the contract |
Rebalancing contribution |
Total |
2012 |
13 291 109 |
2 033 145 |
15 324 254 |
2013 |
13 234 326 |
- |
13 234 326 |
2014 |
13 287 102 |
1 150 000 |
14 437 102 |
2015 |
13 366 507 |
677 052 |
14 043 559 |
2016 |
13 212 118 |
- |
13 212 118 |
2017 |
13 523 598 |
- |
13 523 598 |
2018 |
13 706 440 |
- |
13 706 440 |
6.1.2.4. Altmark 4
6.1.2.5. Conclusion
6.1.3.
The measures laid down by the 2010 Law
6.1.3.1. Possible use of funds to upgrade ships for liquidity purposes
6.1.3.2. Fiscal exemptions related to the privatisation process
6.1.3.3. Possibility of using FAS resources to meet liquidity needs
6.1.4.
Conclusion on the existence of aid
6.2.
Lawfulness of aid
6.3.
Compatibility of aid
6.3.1.
The prolongation of the initial Convention between Toremar and Italy
6.3.1.1. Applicable rules
6.3.1.2. Genuine service of general economic interest as referred to in Article 106 TFEU
Year |
Line A1 |
Line A2 |
Line A2 fast |
Line A3 |
Line A4 |
Total No of passengers |
2009 |
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1 622 876 |
2010 |
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1 462 570 |
2011 |
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1 437 613 |
Year |
Line A1 |
Line A2 |
Line A2 fast |
Line A3 |
Line A4 |
Total No of passengers |
2009 |
[…] |
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|
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347 935 |
2010 |
[…] |
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|
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[…] |
317 488 |
2011 |
[…] |
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[…] |
294 433 |
6.3.1.3. Need for an entrustment act specifying the public service obligations and the methods of calculating compensation
6.3.1.4. Duration of the period of entrustment
6.3.1.5. Compliance with Directive 2006/111/EC
6.3.1.6. Amount of compensation
Toremar public service remit |
2010 |
2011 |
Grand total |
Total revenues |
21 241 542 € |
20 097 049 € |
41 338 591 € |
- Total costs |
35 410 421 € |
35 218 639 € |
70 629 060 € |
- Amortisations |
1 064 158 € |
985 207 € |
2 049 365 € |
= Net cost of public service |
-15 233 037 € |
-16 106 797 € |
-31 339 834 € |
+ Return on capital (6,9 %) |
- 359 417 € |
- 313 826 € |
- 673 243 € |
= Eligible for compensation |
-15 592 454 € |
-16 420 623 € |
-32 013 077 € |
+ Actual compensation |
16 005 441 € |
16 005 441 € |
32 010 882 € |
= Over/under compensation |
412 987 € |
- 415 182 € |
-2 195 € |