natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Den konstante mangel på konkurrence i den pågældende sektor, selv med udbudsprocedurer siden 2005, viser, at der på markedet ikke var et tilstrækkeligt antal operatører med den nødvendige finansielle kapacitet til at opfylde kontraktens tekniske krav (i form af krav til kapacitet og skibe).
On the other hand, it would create an additional economic burden for Hurtigruten as it would need to find other markets to redeploy the non-used vessels.
Alternative modeller for sejlads på alle 34 havne blev opslået som følger i udbudsbetingelserne:
Moreover, as regards the minimum necessary size of the vessels to operate the coastal route, the Authority takes note of the fact that the regularity of the service, as well as safety considerations would justify a certain size of the vessels.
Alternativ 1: Daglig sejlads året rundt
As mentioned earlier, the EFTA States have discretion in defining an SGEI, taking also into account specific PSOs pursuant to Article 4(2) of the Maritime Cabotage Regulation and other characteristics (e.g. technical specificities), as defined in the tender specifications in this case, to the extent that a manifest error is not committed.
Alternativ 2: Sejlads 7 dage om ugen i sommerperioden (8 måneder), 5 dage om ugen om vinteren (4 måneder) og
In view of the above, taking in particular account of the fact that, as shown above in paragraph (69), there is a fair amount of PSO passengers on all legs along the coast throughout the whole year, the Authority considers that the Norwegian authorities' definition of the minimum capacity reserve, even though it exceeds the average expected demand for PSO services, is not manifestly erroneous.
Alternativ 3: Sejlads 5 dage om ugen året rundt.
The Authority further notes that the complainants in their submissions support the definition provided of the HA as an SGEI, which could not be provided by the market alone considering the sparse population, lack of infrastructure and remoteness of the northern Norwegian regions.
Det kan hævdes, at potentielle tilbudsgivere ikke blev udelukket fra at vælge et af ovennævnte alternativer under anvendelse af de ikke-omkostningsrelaterede kriterier, og at den ordregivende myndighed under alle omstændigheder åbent havde opfordret tilbudsgiverne til at vælge et af alternativerne vel vidende, at det valgte bud ville være det, der tilbød den laveste pris i hele kontraktperioden.
As regards the doubts expressed in the opening decision related to the cargo service not being price regulated, the Authority agrees with the Norwegian authorities that Article 4(2) of the Maritime Cabotage Regulation does not require States to impose all the obligations indicated therein on the service operators.
I betragtning af historien bag den pågældende tjeneste og kontraktens brede formulering, som under de givne omstændigheder pegede hen imod den første sejladsmodel (den, der i sidste ende blev valgt) og valget af Hurtigruten, kan andre potentielle tilbudsgivere imidlertid være blevet afskrækket fra at deltage, uanset om et andet alternativ var blevet valgt (selv om variationer mellem de forskellige alternativer ikke var væsentlige), selv om den ordregivende myndighed ikke viste nogen præference for det første alternativ.
Indeed, public authorities have considerable discretion as regards the way in which they choose to manage, organise and finance their SGEIs.
Tilsynsmyndigheden bemærker derfor, at den offentlige udbudsproces som følge af sin udformning (det gælder også de tidligere kontraktperioder) ganske vist ikke uberettiget og direkte udelukkede potentielle budgivere, men den gav ikke anledning til så bred reel konkurrence som muligt.
Taking therefore into account the lack of private initiative with regard to servicing the Bergen – Kirkenes coastal route, the economic, technical and geographical considerations mentioned above, as well as the capacity utilisation considerations presented in the first BDO report 2016, the Authority cannot conclude that the setting of the minimum capacity reserve at 320 PSO passengers, berths for 120 passengers and freight capacity for 150 euro pallets went beyond what was necessary and proportionate to the real public service need.
Tilsynsmyndigheden kan træffe foranstaltninger såsom en mere begrænset overdragelse, hvad angår varighed eller anvendelsesområde, eller særskilte overdragelser, f.eks. ved at opdele ruten i forskellige strækninger, og i kombination med forlængelse af perioden fra tidsfristen for afgivelse af bud til tjenestens startdato.
In light of the above, the Authority considers that the PSO for the reserve capacity requirement of section 4-2 of the HA was sufficiently clearly defined and the first Altmark condition hence met.
Resultatet med kun ét bud kan således ikke anses for tilstrækkeligt til at afspejle konkurrenceprægede markedsvilkår.
The Authority will now assess whether the fourth Altmark condition is met.
Tilsynsmyndigheden konkluderer derfor, at den offentlige udbudsprocedure, hvor kun Hurtigruten afgav et bud, ikke anses for at være tilstrækkelig til at sikre »de laveste omkostninger for samfundet«.
The fourth Altmark condition
For så vidt angår det andet led i den fjerde Altmark-betingelse, afgav de norske myndigheder ikke nogen oplysninger for at påvise, at den tildelte kompensation blev beregnet på grundlag af en analyse af omkostningerne for en gennemsnitsvirksomhed.
In the opening decision, the Authority doubted whether a tender procedure where only one bid is submitted could be deemed sufficient to ensure ‘the least cost to the community’.
Eftersom de fire betingelser i Altmark-dommen skal vurderes kumulativt, er det dermed ikke nødvendigt at undersøge den anden og den tredje betingelse.
As the incumbent operator, Hurtigruten thus had a significant competitive advantage that reinforced its position in the tender procedure, given that it had already in its possession vessels adapted to the requirements of the tender specifications.
Konklusion vedrørende Altmark-betingelserne
In view of the information submitted by the Norwegian authorities during the course of the investigation, the Authority maintains the view that the public procurement procedure, which resulted in the selection of Hurtigruten, has not allowed for an open and genuine competition.
Tilsynsmyndigheden konkluderer, at den kompensation, der blev tildelt i henhold til HA, ikke opfylder alle fire betingelser i Altmark-dommen.
This is despite the fact that several measures were taken by the Norwegian authorities in order to invite potential tenderers:
Tilsynsmyndigheden konkluderer således, at Hurtigruten har fået en fordel, som omhandlet i artikel 61, stk. 1, EØS, med hensyn til at levere den pågældende tjenesteydelse.
providing in the call for tenders for alternative models of sailing;
KONKLUSION MED HENSYN TIL STATSSTØTTE
reducing the requirement for minimum capacity from 400 to 320 passengers and from 150 to 120 berths; and
Tilsynsmyndigheden finder, at den kompensation, der er tildelt i henhold til HA, indebærer statsstøtte som omhandlet i EØS-aftalens artikel 61, stk. 1.
allowing tenderers sufficient time from the deadline for submitting bids (30 September 2010) until the service start-up date (1 January 2013) to purchase or construct vessels for the service, taking also into account the deadline extension until 8 November 2010.
PROCEDUREKRAV
It must be stressed, in this regard, that the specific coastal route has been traditionally served by Hurtigruten under a public service contract for a very long time (even before the conclusion of the EEA Agreement in 1994).
I artikel 1, stk. 3, i del I i protokol 3 hedder det: »EFTA-Tilsynsmyndigheden skal underrettes så betids, at den kan fremsætte sine bemærkninger til eventuelle planer om ydelse eller ændring af støtte. (…) Den pågældende stat må ikke gennemføre de påtænkte foranstaltninger, før den nævnte fremgangsmåde har ført til endelig beslutning«.
For certain contract periods (e.g. 1991-2001 and 2002-2004), the contract had been directly awarded to Hurtigruten, whereas for the periods 2005-2012 and 2012-2019, the operation of the service was the subject of a tender procedure with Hurtigruten being the only bidder, and thus winner, of the tender.
De norske myndigheder anmeldte ikke HA til Tilsynsmyndigheden.
The constant lack of competition in the relevant sector, even with the launch of a tender procedure since 2005, reveals the failure of the market to provide a sufficient number of operators with the necessary financial capacity to fulfil the technical requirements (in terms of capacity and vessel requirements) of the contract.
Tilsynsmyndigheden konkluderer derfor, at de norske myndigheder ikke har overholdt deres forpligtelser i medfør af artikel 1, stk. 3, i del I i protokol 3, uden at dette berører anvendelsen af afgørelsen om tjenesteydelser af almindelig økonomisk interesse.
In reference to the alternative models of sailing to all 34 ports, according to the tender specifications these were advertised as follows:
ANVENDELIGHEDEN AF AFGØRELSEN OM TJENESTEYDELSER AF ALMINDELIG ØKONOMISK INTERESSE
alternative 1: Daily sailing throughout the year;
Afgørelsen om tjenesteydelser af almindelig økonomisk interesse fastsætter betingelserne for, hvornår visse former for kompensation for offentlig tjeneste skal anses for at være forenelige med EØS-aftalens funktion i henhold til dennes artikel 59, stk. 2, og er fritaget fra kravet om forudgående anmeldelse i henhold til artikel 1, stk. 3, i del I i protokol 3 til tilsynsmyndigheds- og domstolsaftalen.
alternative 2: Sailings 7 days a week in summer (8 months), 5 days a week in winter (4 months); and
Der er en enkelt undtagelse fra anmeldelsespligten i artikel 2 i afgørelsen om tjenesteydelser af almindelig økonomisk interesse, som kan være relevant i denne sag:
alternative 3: Sailings 5 days a week throughout the year.
kompensation for udførelse af tjenesteydelser af almindelig økonomisk interesse for så vidt angår luft- eller søtransport til og fra øer, når den gennemsnitlige årlige trafik under 2 regnskabsår forud for det år, hvori tjenesteydelsen af almindelig økonomisk interesse blev overdraget, ikke overstiger 300000 passagerer«.
The tender specifications stress in 2.14: ‘[t]he choice will be made on the basis of an assessment of the price level of the different alternatives compared with the differences in frequency the different alternatives represent.
I henhold til de afgivne oplysninger er grænsen på 300000 passagerer overskredet.
Once an alternative has been selected, the contracting authority will choose the tender that offers the lowest price for the entire contract term (at 2011 prices)’.
Følgelig kan afgørelsen om tjenesteydelser af almindelig økonomisk interesse ikke finde anvendelse.
The tender specifications further specify in detail certain qualitative standards to be met by all economic operators, irrespective of the alternative selected.
STØTTENS FORENELIGHED
It could be argued that potential bidders were not excluded from choosing any of the mentioned alternatives with the use of non-cost criteria and that the contracting authority had in any case invited openly bidders to select any alternative in knowledge of the fact that the chosen tender would be the one offering the lowest price for the entire contract term.
RETSFORSKRIFTER
However, given the history of the service concerned and the broad terms of the contract, which, given the circumstances, pointed towards the first alternative model of sailing (the one finally chosen) and the selection of Hurtigruten, other potential bidders might have been discouraged from participating even with the choice of another alternative (although the variations amongst the different alternatives were not material), even though the contracting authority showed no direct preference for the first alternative.
Foreneligheden af kompensation for offentlig tjeneste i form af søtransport vurderes på grundlag af EØS-aftalens artikel 59, stk. 2, sammenholdt med Tilsynsmyndighedens rammebestemmelser.
The Authority therefore notes that the public procurement process as designed (including also for the previous contract periods), although it did not unjustifiably and directly exclude any potential bidders, did not attain the widest possible opening-up to genuine competition.
Principperne i rammebestemmelserne finder anvendelse på kompensation for offentlig tjeneste for så vidt som den udgør statsstøtte, der ikke er omfattet af afgørelsen om tjenesteydelser af almindelig økonomisk interesse.
This may take measures such as a more limited entrustment in terms of duration or scope, or separate entrustments, for example by unbundling the route into different stretches or day schedules, and in combination with the extension of the time-limit from the deadline for submitting bids until the service start-up date.
Ifølge Domstolens retspraksis er det op til medlemsstaterne at anføre mulige grunde til forenelighed og vise, at betingelserne for forenelighed er opfyldt.
As a result, the outcome produced with only one bid being submitted cannot be considered adequate to reflect competitive market conditions.
RAMMEBESTEMMELSERNES ANVENDELIGHED
The Authority thus concludes that the public procurement process, where only Hurtigruten's bid was submitted, is not deemed sufficient to ensure ‘the least cost to the community’.
HA's forenelighed vurderes i forhold til følgende betingelser som fastsat i rammebestemmelserne:
Concerning the second limb of the fourth Altmark condition, the Norwegian authorities did not submit any information to demonstrate that the compensation granted was established on the basis of an analysis of the cost of a typical undertaking.
Ægte tjenesteydelse af almindelig økonomisk interesse
As a result, in view of the above, the Authority observes that the fourth Altmark condition is not fulfilled.
Overdragelsesakten og overdragelsesaktens gyldighedsperiode
Since the four Altmark conditions are to be assessed cumulatively, it is consequently not necessary to examine the second and third conditions.
Kompensationsbeløb og ingen overkompensation
Conclusion on the Altmark conditions
Ingen påvirkning af handel i et sådant omfang, at det strider mod EØS' interesse.
The Authority concludes that the compensation awarded under the HA does not comply with all the four conditions in the Altmark judgment.
Rammebestemmelserne omfatter desuden visse andre betingelser, om f.eks. overholdelse af EØS-forpligtelsen til at høre offentligheden for at tage hensyn til behovet for offentlige tjenester (punkt 14), offentlige udbudsregler (punkt 19), ligebehandling (punkt 20), anvendelse af net avoided cost-metoden (punkt 24), effektivitetsincitamenter (punkt 39) og gennemskuelighed (punkt 60), som skal være opfyldt, for at en kompenserende foranstaltning er forenelig med EØS-aftalens artikel 59, stk. 2.
The Authority thus concludes that an advantage within the meaning of Article 61(1) EEA has been granted to Hurtigruten for performing the service concerned.
Som nævnt i rammebestemmelsernes punkt 69, »[anvender] Tilsynsmyndigheden (…) principperne i disse rammebestemmelser, når den efter den 31. januar 2012 skal træffe beslutning om uberettiget støtte, også selv om støtten er blevet bevilget før denne dato.
CONCLUSION ON THE PRESENCE OF AID
I tilfælde, hvor støtten er blevet bevilget før den 31. januar 2012, anvendes principperne i punkt 14, 19, 20, 24, 39 og 60 imidlertid ikke.«
The Authority finds that the compensation awarded under the HA entails State aid within the meaning of Article 61(1) of the EEA Agreement.
Da HA trådte i kraft den 13. april 2011 og fastsatte det samlede kompensationsbeløb for hele kontraktperioden på forhånd, kun underlagt en årlig indeksering, finder de ovennævnte betingelser i betragtning 131 ikke anvendelse, fordi støtten blev bevilget før den 31. januar 2012.
PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS
Ægte tjenesteydelse af almindelig økonomisk interesse
Pursuant to Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3: ‘[t]he EFTA Surveillance Authority shall be informed, in sufficient time to enable it to submit its comments, of any plans to grant or alter aid. […] The State concerned shall not put its proposed measures into effect until the procedure has resulted in a final decision’.
Som omtalt i betragtning 84-102, udgør HA's minimumskrav til reservekapacitet en ægte tjenesteydelse af almindelig økonomisk interesse.
The Norwegian authorities did not notify the HA to the Authority.
Det er dog nødvendigt at undersøge, om de øvrige betingelser i rammebestemmelserne er opfyldt for HA.
The Authority therefore concludes that the Norwegian authorities have not respected their obligations pursuant to Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3, without prejudice to the application of the SGEI Decision.
Overdragelsesakt
APPLICABILITY OF THE SGEI DECISION
HA specificerer forpligtelserne til offentlig tjeneste, virksomheden, der udfører tjenesten, og det pågældende geografiske område.
The SGEI Decision lays down the conditions under which certain types of public service compensation are to be regarded as compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement pursuant to its Article 59(2) and exempt from the requirement of prior notification under Article 1(3) of Part I of Protocol 3 to the Surveillance and Court Agreement.
Endvidere er en af de forenelighedsbetingelser, der skal være opfyldt ifølge punkt 16 i rammebestemmelserne, at overdragelsesakten skal omfatte »(…) d) en beskrivelse af kompensationsmekanismen og parametrene for beregning, kontrol og revision af kompensationen«.
There is one exception from the notification requirement of Article 2 of the SGEI Decision, which might be relevant in the present case:
Kompensationen beregnes på grundlag af de parametre, der er fastsat i bilag D til udbudsbetingelserne sammen med de gældende fordelingsnøgler for at sondre mellem tjenesteydelser af almindelig økonomisk interesse og kommercielle aktiviteter.
compensation for the provision of services of general economic interest as regards air or maritime links to islands on which the average annual traffic during the 2 financial years preceding that in which the service of general economic interest was assigned does not exceed 300000 passengers’;
Bilag D indeholder følgende:
According to the information submitted, the threshold of 300000 passengers has been exceeded.
Tabel 2
Consequently, the SGEI Decision cannot be applied.
Parametre i budgettet for den offentlige tjeneste
COMPATIBILITY OF THE AID
A : Samlede indtægter, distancepassagerer
THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK
B : Passageromkostninger, distancepassagerer
The compatibility of public service compensation for maritime transport is assessed on the basis of Article 59(2) of the EEA Agreement in conjunction with the Authority's Framework.
C : Nettopassagerindtægter (A + B)
The principles set out in the Framework apply to public service compensation only in so far as it constitutes State aid not covered by the SGEI Decision.
D : Indtægter fra salg om bord
According to the case-law of the Court of Justice, it is up to the Member State to invoke possible grounds for compatibility and to demonstrate that the conditions of compatibility are met.
E : Nettoindtægter fra varer og biler
APPLICABILITY OF THE FRAMEWORK
F : Andre indtægter
The compatibility of the HA shall be assessed against the following conditions as provided for by the Framework:
G : Samlede egne indtægter (C + D + E + F)
genuine SGEI;
H : Offentligt indkøb af tjenesteydelse
entrustment act and period of entrustment;
I : Indtægter i alt (G + H)
amount of compensation and absence of overcompensation;
J : Sikkerhedsbesætning
no affectation of trade development to an extent contrary to the interests of the EEA.
K : Olie og bunkerfuel
The Framework further comprises certain other conditions, such as compliance with EEA public consultation to take account of the public service needs (paragraph 14), public procurement rules (paragraph 19), absence of discrimination (paragraph 20), the use of net avoided cost methodology (paragraph 24), efficiency incentives (paragraph 39) and transparency (paragraph 60) that need to be fulfilled for a compensatory measure to be compatible with Article 59(2) of the EEA Agreement.
L : Reparation og vedligeholdelse
As mentioned in paragraph 69 of the Framework, ‘[t]he Authority will apply the principles set out in this Framework to unlawful aid on which it takes a decision after 31 January 2012 even if the aid was granted before this date.
M : Havneomkostninger
However, where the aid was granted before 31 January 2012, the principles set out in paragraphs 14, 19, 20, 24, 39 and 60 do not apply’.
N : Forsikringsomkostninger
As the HA entered into force on 13 April 2011 and specified the entire amount of compensation for the duration of the contract period upfront, subject only to an annual indexation adjustment, the above mentioned conditions in paragraph (131) are not applicable, because the aid was granted before 31 January 2012.
O : Afskrivning, egne skibe/bareboat
Genuine SGEI
P : Finansielle nettoomkostninger
As set out in paragraphs (84) to (102), the HA requiring a minimum reserve capacity constitutes a genuine SGEI.
Q : Samlede kapacitetsomkostninger (J + K + L + M + N + P)
It is, however, necessary to examine whether the other conditions of the Framework are met for the HA.
R : Omkostninger til solgte varer
Entrustment act
S : Besætning, der ikke indgår i sikkerhedsbesætningen
The HA specifies in detail the obligations of the public service, the undertaking that carries out the service and the territory concerned.
T : Omkostninger til markedsføring og salg
Further, one of the compatibility conditions that must be fulfilled, as indicated in paragraph 16 of the Framework, is that the entrustment act shall include ‘[…] (d)[a] description of the compensation mechanism and the parameters for calculating, monitoring and reviewing the compensation’.
U : Administrationsomkostninger
The compensation is calculated on the basis of the parameters specified in Annex D to the tender specifications together with the applicable allocation keys to differentiate between the SGEI and commercial activities.
V : Andre omkostninger
Annex D provides the following:
W : Samlede passageromkostninger (R + S + T + U + V)
Table 2
X : Samlede omkostninger til offentlig tjeneste (Q + W)
The parameters in the budget scheme for the public service
Y : Nettoresultat før skat (I-X)
A : Total revenues distance passengers
Hurtigruten har, i overensstemmelse med udbudsbetingelserne, udarbejdet et særskilt budget, der omfatter alle udgifter og indtægter, som kan henføres til PSO-delen af ruten (2011-priser justeret i overensstemmelse med Statistisk sentralbyrås omkostningsindeks).
B : Passengers cost distance passengers
I henhold til punkt 4.9.2 i udbudsbetingelserne er formålet med de separate regnskaber at sikre forudsigelighed, så omkostningerne og indtægterne kan danne grundlag for genforhandling, jf. paragraf 6 og 7 i HA.
C : Net passenger revenues (A+B)
En anden målsætning går ud på at dokumentere, at den offentlige udbudsprocedure ikke indebærer ulovlig krydssubsidiering mellem PSO-tjenesterne og de kommercielle tjenester.
D : Revenues from on board sales
Som nævnt i beslutningen om at indlede proceduren, er den årlige kompensation for søtransporttjenesterne i hvert enkelt år fra 2012 til 2019 fastlagt i HA på grundlag af en minimumskapacitetsreserve og omkostninger, der er fordelt på grundlag af en anslået andel af PSO-passagerkilometer pr. år.
E : Net revenues from goods and cars
Dette beløb er baseret på omkostningskategorierne i bilag D, som illustreret ovenfor i tabel 2, og efterfølgende forhandlinger.
F : Other revenues
Forhandlingerne har resulteret i en reduktion af kompensationen i forhold til Hurtigrutens oprindelige tilbud.
G : Total own revenues (C+D+E+F)