The Antitrust has launched an investigation to verify whether the acquisition of Tirrenia Navigazione by the Italian Navigation Company (Cin) creates a dominant position on the routes to and from Sardinia. At the end of the operation, the capital of Cin, currently held by Onorato Partecipazioni Srl, will be transferred to Moby SpA, active on the same routes, and to L19, vehicle company of the Clessidra fund. These companies will indirectly exercise joint control of Tirrenia.
According to the Authority, the operation will have structural effects on the Genoa-Porto Torres, Genoa-Olbia and Civitavecchia-Olbia routes for passenger transport; Genoa–Olbia and Livorno–Cagliari for freight transport. The overlap between the activities of Tirrenia and Moby will greatly reduce competition, with the risk of price increases on the services offered.
The Antitrust also believes that the operation determines a vertical integration between the management activities of the marine terminals and the towage services of Moby and Tirrenia and the maritime transport services of passengers and goods. The merger could lead to risks of discrimination for competing non-integrated operators.
