INHALT

2011/98/EC: Commission Decision of 28 October 2009 on the State aid C 16/08 (ex NN 105/05 and NN 35/07) implemented by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Subsidies to CalMac and NorthLink for maritime transport services in Scotland (notified under document C(2009) 8117) Text with EEA relevance

COMMISSION DECISION
of 28 October 2009
on the State aid C 16/08 (ex NN 105/05 and NN 35/07) implemented by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — Subsidies to
CalMac
and
NorthLink
for maritime transport services in Scotland
(notified under document C(2009) 8117)
(Only the English text is authentic)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2011/98/EC)
1.
PROCEDURE
2.
DESCRIPTION
2.1.
WESTERN ISLANDS
2.1.1. MARITIME ROUTES
Map 1
Maritime routes in western Scotland
2.1.2. OPERATORS
2.1.2.1.
CalMac Ferries Ltd
Chart 1
Current ownership structure
2.1.2.2.
Western Ferries Ltd
Map 2
Maritime routes in the Clyde estuary
2.1.3. PUBLIC SERVICE OBLIGATIONS
2.2.
NORTHERN ISLANDS
2.2.1. MARITIME ROUTES
Map 3
Maritime routes in Northern Scotland
2.2.2. OPERATORS
2.2.2.1.
NorthLink
2.2.2.2.
P&O Ferries
2.2.2.3.
Pentland Ferries
2.2.2.4.
Streamline Shipping
2.2.2.5.
John O’Groats Ferries
2.2.2.6.
Norse Islands Ferries
2.2.3. PUBLIC SERVICE OBLIGATIONS
2.2.3.1.
The 1997 public service contract with P&O Ferries
2.2.3.2.
The 2000 public service contract with NorthLink 1
2.2.3.3.
The 2004 Minute of Amendment with NorthLink 1
2.2.3.4.
The 2006 public service contract with NorthLink 2
2.2.4. TRANSPORT FARES
2.3.
GROUNDS FOR INITIATING THE FORMAL INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE
2.3.1. WESTERN ISLANDS
2.3.1.1.
Existence of State aid
2.3.1.2.
Compatibility with the common market
2.3.2. NORTHERN ISLANDS
2.3.2.1.
Existence of State aid
2.3.2.2.
Compatibility with the common market
3.
COMMENTS FROM INTERESTED PARTIES
4.
COMMENTS FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM ON THE OPENING DECISION AND ON THE COMMENTS FROM INTERESTED PARTIES
5.
ASSESSMENT OF THE MEASURE
5.1.
EXISTENCE OF STATE AID
5.1.1. CRITERIA PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 87(1) OF THE TREATY
5.1.2. ALTMARK CRITERIA
5.1.2.1.
CalMac
(a)
Before the 2007 contract
(b)
After the 2007 contract
Altmark 1 –
clearly defined public service obligations
Altmark 2 –
ex ante, objective and transparent establishment of parameters for compensation
Altmark 3 –
no overcompensation (including reasonable profit)
Altmark 4 –
tender procedure - in case of no tender, costs calculated by reference to typical undertaking
5.1.2.2.
NorthLink
(a)
NorthLink 1 (2002-2006)
Altmark 1 –
clearly defined public service obligations
Altmark 2 –
ex ante, objective and transparent establishment of parameters for compensation
Altmark 3 –
no overcompensation (including reasonable profit)
Altmark 4 –
public tender - in case of no tender, costs calculated by reference to typical undertaking
(b)
NorthLink 2 (2006-2012)
Altmark 1 –
clearly defined public service obligations
Altmark 2 –
ex ante, objective and transparent establishment of parameters for compensation
Altmark 3 –
no overcompensation (including reasonable profit)
Altmark 4 –
public tender - in case of no tender, costs calculated by reference to typical undertaking
5.2.
NATURE OF THE AID
5.2.1. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
5.2.2. CALMAC
5.2.3. NORTHLINK
5.3.
COMPATIBILITY
5.3.1. APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE 86(2) OF THE TREATY
5.3.2. APPLICABILITY OF SGEI FRAMEWORK(57)/SGEI DECISION(58)
5.3.3. EXISTING AID GRANTED TO CALMAC
5.3.3.1.
Definition
(a)
Hebrides and Clyde (excluding Gourock-Dunoon)
(b)
Gourock-Dunoon
5.3.3.2.
Entrustment
(a)
Hebrides and Clyde (excluding Gourock-Dunoon)
(b)
Gourock-Dunoon
5.3.3.3.
Proportionality
(a)
Hebrides and Clyde (excluding Gourock-Dunoon)
(b)
Gourock-Dunoon
5.3.3.4.
Conclusion on the existing aid part
(a)
Hebrides and Clyde (excluding Gourock-Dunoon)
(b)
Gourock-Dunoon
5.3.4. NORTHLINK
5.3.4.1.
Definition
(a)
NorthLink 1 (2002-2006)
(b)
NorthLink 2 (2006-2012)
5.3.4.2.
Entrustment
(a)
NorthLink 1 (2002-2006)
(b)
NorthLink 2 (2006-2012)
5.3.4.3.
Proportionality
(a)
NorthLink 1 (2002-2006)
(b)
NorthLink 2 (2006-2012)
5.3.4.4.
Conclusion
(a)
NorthLink 1 (2002-2006)
(b)
NorthLink 2 (2006-2012)
6.
CONCLUSION
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3
Article 4
Article 5