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Tag: La Méridionale | Page 2 | Ferry Shipping News

Dec 22
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Just in time and no surprises: Corsica Linea and La Méridionale share the Marseille-Corsica routes until 2029

By | 2022 Newsletter week 51 | No Comments

The Assembly of Corsica voted on Tuesday 20 December 2022 the attribution of the delegation of maritime public service (DSP) to Corsica Linea (the red ships) and La Méridionale (the blue ships).

Aim: guaranteeing territorial continuity between mainland France and Corsica.

Duration: from 1 January 2023 until 31 December 2029.

Annual cost: EUR 106.7 million (against 93 million for the actual DSP)

Routes:

Marseille-Ajaccio: Corsica Linea/La Méridionale, alternating, daily

Marseille-Bastia: Corsica Linea, 7/7

Marseille-Ile Rousse: Corsica Linea 3/7

Marseille-Propriano: Corsica Linea 3/7

Marseille-Porto-Vecchio: La Méridionale 3/7

Political:

Separatist and Autonomist Opposition voted against, denouncing an increase in costs and the postponement of the creation of a public shipping company (…).

The European Commission had to be convinced that a maritime public service is necessary.

Oct 27
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Not possible to book Corsica Linea and La Méridionale tickets for 2023

By | 2022 Newsletter week 43 | No Comments
  • Corsica Linea and La Méridionale, the two candidates for the DSP 2023-2029 (Delegation of Public Service) cannot open the bookings for 2023, because the DSP has not been finalized yet
  • The Government said it did not want to increase the budget of EUR 187 million.
  • A big issue is the fuel compensation, which was EUR 21 million in 2021, and EUR 56 million in 2022.
  • Another issue is the complaint of local freight forwarders, saying that up to 400 trucks a month have to stay on the quay because a lack of capacity.
  • Although it is about a public service, several people complain about the fact that the decision-making process is not transparent.
Feb 03
4

STEF’s subsidiary La Méridionale performed well on the freight side

By | 2022 Newsletter week 5 | No Comments

STEF, specialist in temperature-controlled transport and logistics for food products, announced a turnover of €3.5 billion for the year 2021, up 11.5%, including €950 million for the 4th quarter, which is up by 15.2%.

During Q4, La Méridionale achieved the expected performance on its crossings to Corsica under the current public service delegation.

On the Marseille-Tangier line, the company was affected by the closure of the Moroccan borders which considerably reduced passenger traffic in early December, even though its freight activities are showing a steady increase in fill rate.

Mar 04
11

Corsica Linea And La Méridionale Have Been Awarded The Corsican Public Service Contract

By | 2021 Newsletter week 9 | No Comments

No surprise: the Corsican Assembly has voted to attribute the 5 subsidised ferry lines to Corsica Linea and La Méridionale. (public service contract).

Route 1: Marseille – Ajaccio: Corsica Linea & La Méridionale

Route 2: Marseille – Bastia: Corsica Linea

Route 3: Marseille – Portovecchio: Corsica Linea

Route 4: Marseille – Propriano: La Méridionale

Route 5: Marseille – Ile-Rousse: Corsica Linea

Period: 1 March 2021 – 31 December 2022

Earlier it was reported that Corsica Ferries’ offer was rejected (because of “non-compliance of the offer”).

The Report (in French) can be downloaded here

Nov 12
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New Ferry Lines from Morocco to Europe

By | 2020 Newsletter week 46 | No Comments

La Méridionale‘s opens the previously announced Marseille-Tangier-Marseille route on 14 November with 3 sailings each way per week, using the GIROLATA and PELAGOS.

Suardiaz Group is going to launch a roro line between Tangier Med and Barcelona on 7 November.

It will run twice weekly and be able to transport all types of cargo, but especially textile, fruit and vegetables, distribution, retail and spare parts for the automotive industry.

CMA CGM started a service between Tangier and Marseille in 2017, but this was short-lived.

Oct 08
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La Méridionale to Renegotiate All Employment Agreements

By | 2020 Newsletter week 41 | No Comments

STEF-owned ferry company La Méridionale announced the cancelation of 90 agreements regarding terms of employment. All the agreements will be renegotiated with the unions, both for the crews and the shore staff. This should be done by the end of the year.

The fact that the company lost the major Corsican ports in the 15-month transitional contract (to Corsica Linea) did not help the finances, especially not together with the pandemic.

However, owner STEF is a strong logistics group.

La Meridionale also bought PELAGOS (DFDS – LIVERPOOL SEAWAYS – EUR 30,6 million) before Covid. The ship is still laid up in Le Havre.

Sep 17
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IN THE MEDIA

By | 2020 Newsletter week 38 | No Comments

Public Service Contract for Corsica: What’s Up?

In January 2020, Corsica Linea and La Méridionale submitted a joint application for the public service contract for the links with Corsica. (Ferry Shipping News)

This new contract should start on 1 January 2021 (until end of 2027), but so far, no decision has been taken.

Two ongoing investigations are disrupting the decision schedule:

  1. Investigating the creation of a SEMOP (a company owned 50.1% by Corsican authorities and 49.9% by private operators). French Competition Authority is investigating its impact on competition and will deliver its advice to the Government in October.
  2. Investigation launched by the European Commission on 28 February 2020, about the allocation to Corsica Linea of rotations between Marseille and Bastia, Ajaccio and L’Ile-Rousse as part of the ongoing contract. European Commission must deliver its conclusions by the end of 2020.
Source: L’Antenne (in French)
Jan 30
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New Project Submitted by Corsica Linea and La Méridionale

By | 2020 Newsletter week 5 | No Comments

Corsica Linea and La Méridionale have finally agreed to join forces for the public service contract for maritime services between Marseille and Corsica, from 1 January 2021 till 31 December 2027.

Right on time, because the deadline was 14 February 2020.

In this common project, Corsica Linea would have an exclusivity for the port of Bastia (source: Le Journal de la Marine Marchande). Remember, before, La Méridionale used to operate ropax PIANA on this route.

Since 10 January a strike is immobilising all Marseille – Corsica ferry operations. The unions want to have guarantees for jobs at La Méridionale, and they want the ships to be able to sail on the two main routes, Ajaccio and Bastia. The strike is also related to the countrywide protest against Macron’s pension reform plan.

From what we understand, this year’s public service contract, which runs until 31 December 2020, will be divided in two periods, from now until end of April, and from May until the end of the year. For the second part a new tender will be issued.