Press Release: French port reform: Commission launches investigation into possible involvement of state aid

The European Commission decided to launch a detailed investigation in order to check whether the measures which France wishes to adopt under its port reform are compatible with the Community rules on state aid. At this stage, the Commission considers that the mechanism for transferring port handling activities to private operators and the tax arrangements applicable to transferred equipment could involve state aid which is incompatible with the common market. The investigation will enable all the interested parties to submit their comments.