Maritime sector: Commission approves French state aid for Corsica Linea and La Méridionale
Today, the European Commission approved EUR 853.6 million in French state aid for Corsica Linea and La Méridionale to provide passenger and freight services between Marseille and Corsica from 2023 to 2030. After opening an in-depth investigation in February 2024, the Commission concluded that a public service compensation awarded to Corsica Linea and La Méridionale (alone or jointly) under five public service contracts complies with state aid rules under the Service of General Economic Interest (SGEI) framework.
France demonstrated that market forces could not fully meet demand for towed freight between Marseille and Corsica as services from neighbouring ports were insufficient and that minimum freight volume requirements were justified to prevent ship saturation.
A non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.101557 in the state aid register.