Maritime transportation: the Antitrust Authority launches a preliminary investigation so as to verify an alleged agreement restricting competition in the routes in the Strait of Messina
PRESS RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
MARITIME TRANSPORTATION: THE ANTITRUST AUTHORITY LAUNCHES A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION SO AS TO VERIFY AN ALLEGED AGREEMENT RESTRICTING COMPETITION IN THE ROUTES IN THE STRAIT OF MESSINA
In the last three years, fares have increased up to 150%. Preliminary investigation against Caronte & Tourist, Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, Bluferries, Meridiano Lines, Ustica Lines, Terminal Tremestieri and Consorzio Metromare dello Stretto that allegedly have agreed on prices and divided the market. The measure was notified today during the inspections carried out in collaboration with the Antitrust Group of the Special Market Protection Unit of the Guardia di Finanza (Italian Tax Police).
In a meeting on 26th June 2013, the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato launched a preliminary investigation in order to verify if the companies Caronte & Tourist, Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, Bluferries, Meridiano Lines, Ustica Lines, Terminal Tremestieri and Consorzio Metromare dello Stretto, all operating in the maritime transportation sector in the Strait of Messina, have entered into an agreement as regards prices and the division of the market.
The measure was notified to the parties today, during inspections carried out in collaboration with the Antitrust Group of the Special Market Protection Unit of the Guardia di Finanza (Italian Tax Police). On the basis of the first data collected by the Antitrust Authority, in the last three years there has been a significant and concomitant increase in prices, as witnessed emblematically by identical fares which have increased up to 150%.
The aim of the alleged agreement is to eliminate all competition whatsoever among operators, even potential competition. The two historical operators, Caronte&Tourist and RFI, have allegedly carried out a determining role, reaching new “balances” capable of satisfying each other’s needs and blocking both real and possible new minor competitors.
The preliminary investigations must be concluded within 31st October 2014.
Rome, 02nd July 2013