Caronte & Tourists Intends To Take Market Restriction Case Suffered In Croatia To The European Commission
This summer, Italy’s Caronte & Tourist was finally not able to operate the Rijeka-Porozina maritime link, formally due to a lack of authorisations.
The Italian ferry company will signal the case to the European Commission.
According to the local Croatian media Lavoce.hr, the double-ender ferry GIUSEPPE FRANZA remained inactive and moored at the Molo Orlando quay in Rijeka since mid-July, when it arrived from Italy for opening a new regular line to be operated until the end of September.
After several difficulties at obtaining the necessary authorisations from the Croatian transport ministry, Coast Guard and Short Sea Maritime Agency, there was still some factors avoiding the sailing of the line due to lack of permissions. In reality, several market observers underlined that it’s likely that the incumbent player Jadrolinija has a role at putting a spoke in the wheels of the Italian newcomer for competition reasons.
Caronte & Tourist is now taking legal actions against the local Coast Guard and the port authorities in Rijeka and Cres. The company controlled by the Franza and Matacena families intend also to take the case in Bruxelles signalling the Croatian government to the DG Competition authority for market restriction.
The GIUSEPPE FRANZA will leave Rijeka this week. It is expected to be back in Croatia for the next summer season as Caronte & Tourist will not give up and intends to double its presence on this market opening a second line also between the ports of Prizna and Stara Novalja.