Press Release: State aid: Commission agrees on terms for recovery of aid granted to Polish shipyards in Gdynia and Szczecin and conditions for viable future activities

The European Commission concluded, following four years of investigation, that state aid granted to Gdynia shipyard and Szczecin shipyard gives rise to disproportionate distortions of competition within the Single Market, in breach of EC Treaty state aid rules, and must be repaid. The Commission simultaneously agreed to accept commitments from Poland for the implementation of the decisions in a way that will quickly create opportunities for viable and sustainable economic activities at the Gdynia and Szczecin sites and so maximise the number of sustainable jobs there. In particular, the Polish authorities have committed to sell the yards' assets through open, transparent, non-discriminatory and unconditional tenders and subsequently liquidate the Gdynia and Szczecin shipyard companies, claiming the state aid back through this process. As a result, companies acquiring the assets will not be liable to repay the illegal subsidies, even if they choose to continue shipbuilding. To help any workers that are made redundant, the Commission offered assistance in devising flanking measures under existing EU programmes (European Social Fund or European Globalisation Adjustment Fund).

European Commission: MEMO/08/1642: State aid: Commission agrees on terms for recovery of aid granted to Polish shipyards in Gdynia and Szczecin and conditions for viable future activities – frequently asked questions http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/08/680&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: SPEECH/08/588: State aid decisions on Gdynia and Szczecin shipyards http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/08/588&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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