No Corsican Regional Ferry Company before 2025
A Corsican public-private partnership (SEMop) ferry company was supposed to be created on 1 January 2021, to provide the ferry services between Marseille and the five ports of Corsica.
This new approach was due to replace the actual public service delegation (PSD) system.
SEMop would have as shareholders the Corsican Community (50.1%) and private operator(s) (49.9%), for a duration of seven years.
Only one private operator showed up: the alliance Corsica Linea – La Méridionale.
The idea of creating a SEMop is being abandoned. Why?
- The shipowners’ group was asking EUR 776 million for 7 years. Too much says Corsica, who offered EUR 570 million.
- The coronavirus outbreak has a substantial impact on traffic. The offer presented by Corsica Linea – La Mériodionale is no longer in line with the real needs.
What now? Probably the solution will be to extend the actual PSD one year… or more.