Italy’s competition authority, commonly known as antitrust, has opened investigations against three major shipping companies. This is about Moby, Large fast ships (NGV) and Services of shipping agencies (SAS), all companies control in different ways. Msc The probe was initiated after Saas acquired 49% of Mobi’s shares.
Then on November 13, the check began. The Special Antitrust Unit of the Financial Police Some of the premises of the companies involved were inspected. The allegation is that there are certain restrictions on competition in the maritime transport sector in Italy, particularly in ferries, Italy.
Antitrust investigation into Mobi, SAS and GNV
A note from the Competition and Markets Authority (AGCM) announced that three of the biggest Italian companies in the maritime transport world are under investigation. This is about Moby, Services of shipping agencies (mother-in-law) and Large fast ships (GNV). The investigation began on November 13, when the Financial Police’s special anti-trust unit carried out some checks at the offices of the companies involved.
Antitrust is accused of restricting competition. All three companies are actually affiliated with the same company. Msc which effectively controls a significant portion of Mobi’s shares through Sas. It will be led by, according toAgcmEspecially for the situation of limited competition for freight and passenger transport to the larger islands.
“Highly concentrated markets include the maritime transport of goods and passengers on certain routes between the continent and the major islands where only Moby e CNG or at most the third operator. Moreover, these are markets with significant barriers to entry” reads the antitrust note.
Sas-Moby operation
The antitrust investigation was apparently initiated because of the operation that led to its acquisition. mother in law, 49% shares of Mobi. The purchase was announced in March 2022 but was completed only in September 2023. Mobi, also through another subsidiary Torrimar, controls a large part of the routes between Sardinia and its ports. Livorno e Civitavecchia.
After acquiring the shares, MSC agreed to inject liquidity into the company and guarantee loans to creditors. The most critical problem was the society. Terrania, which was under extraordinary administration. This move effectively averted Mobi’s bankruptcy and allowed Terranea to enter into an agreement with the Ministry of Economic Development.
Mobi actually bought Tirrenia (the Italian navigation company) from the ministry, but still had 180 million euros to pay in installments. Instead, the agreement with the ministry called for half of that amount, 90 million euros, to be paid in a single settlement. Liquidity that MSC paid into treasury. Moby To allow operation.
However, according to antitrust, Mobi’s new ownership structure would have limited its ability to compete for freight and passenger transportation, particularly Sardinia and Sicily from the ports of Genoa, Livorno and Civitavecchia.
