Italy’s transport minister Danilo Toninelli said in Cagliari that the public subsidies (€72million) paid every year to Tirrenia CIN in exchange for the maritime links offered during the winter season between Sardinia and mainland Italy will be not renewed at the expiration date in July 2020.
“My staff is already working in order to prepare a new tender due to be launched in the near future” Toninelli said.
As of today, there are four active ferry companies on Italy – Sardinia: Moby & Tirrenia, Grandi Navi Veloci, Corsica Ferries and Grendi Trasporti Marittimi.
Italian shipowners association Confitarma (supported by Grimaldi Group), asked the Italian Transport Minister to adopt a new scheme of subsidies based on the Spanish model where public money goes directly to the final user (either passenger or road haulier), who is free to choose a company for the maritime transport. Then the ticket will be entirely or partially reimbursed by the State.
