The Italian Competition Authority conditionally clears the Moby acquisition of a Toremar, a regional ferry operator
By a recent decision (Case C11072, Moby/Toremar ) the Italian Competition Authority (ICA) has conditionally cleared the Moby acquisition of the ferry operator Toremar. Toremar, a ferry operator controlled by the Region of Tuscany, was entrusted to provide maritime links from Tuscany to the Island of Elba and other minor islands off the Tuscany coast under a regime of public service obligation. Moby submitted the winning bid in a public tender procedure organized by the Region of Tuscany to select to whom sell Toremar. The ICA opened an investigation into the Moby acquisition of Toremar, because also Moby was active in the maritime routes between Tuscany and Elba, and some of its routes overlapped with those of Toremar. In particular, the ICA found competition problems with the Piombino-Portoferraio route. Post-merger, Moby would have a quasi monopoly position on this route, the only other competitor, Blu Navy, having a very small market share. Furthermore, Moby and Toremar togethe