The plenary session of HCC will convene on May 24, 2023, to assess, following the relevant Rapporteur’s Opinion, the conditions of competition and the effectiveness of the commitments undertaken by ATTICA under Decision No. 658/2018 (“Commitment Decision”). In accordance with section B5 of the Commitment Decision, the HCC will decide upon the removal or extension, in whole or in part, of the relevant commitments under section B4 concerning the ferry routes to the islands of Chios and Mytilini, operated from ATTICA ,for a maximum of three (3) years.
It is reminded that the Commitments Decision of 2018 approved the merger concerning the acquisition of sole control by ATTICA of Hellenic Seaways, subject to commitments, in accordance with article 8 of Law 3959/2011, for the execution of ferry routes from Attica region to the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, from the new entity. Furthermore with the no. 734/2021 Decision, the HCC, in Plenary, unanimously decided: the lifting of the commitment, not to increase routes in the relevant ferry markets of passengers, cars and trucks from Attica to the island of Ios and vice versa, the partial extension of the commitment for three (3) more years, i.e. from 27.04.2021 to 26.04.2024 regarding third-party competitors, the extension of the other commitments for three (3) more years, i.e. from 27.04.2021 to 26.04.2024, regarding the routes from Attica to the islands, Syros, Paros, Naxos, Amorgos, Koufonisia, Thira, Patmos, Chios and vice versa.
Based on the reasoning of the Rapporteur’s Opinion, after evaluating the effectiveness of the commitments and the current conditions of competition in the relevant ferry markets for passengers, vehicles and trucks to the islands of Chios and Mytilini, it is proposed to accept the extension of the commitments under section B4 provided for in the HCC Decision 658/2018 for a period of two (2) years, i.e. until 26.04.2025 specifically as follows:
1. To extend the commitments, not to increase routes and on the conditions of activation of a potential third Party – Competitor as a whole for a period of two (2) years, i.e. until 26.4.2025.
2. To extend the commitment not to reduce routes, for a period of two (2) years, i.e. until 26.04.2025, during which the Company is obliged to operate at least 7 routes per week in the June-August period and at least 4 routes per week in the period September - May, not including the itineraries performed under Public Service Contracts.
The Rapporteur’s Proposal is not binding on the HCC, which will decide on the basis of the available facts and the views of ATTICA during the hearing process.