natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
As regards the second condition and the requirement that the parameters on the basis of which the compensation was calculated must be established in advance in an objective and transparent manner, the Authority doubted whether the capacity reserve requirement is linked to actual PSO passenger numbers.
podjetje Hurtigruten še naprej prejema nadomestilo za storitve, ki jih ne opravlja, in
There has not been, for example, any objective and transparent methodology to calculate in advance the cost per passenger/kilometre.
podjetje Hurtigruten si prizadeva pridobiti še nižje cene za pristaniške pristojbine, pri tem pa ohranja enako višino nadomestila za opravljanje javne službe.
Hurtigruten has established a separate budget incorporating all costs and revenues attributed to the PSO routes.
Nazadnje, kar zadeva četrti pogoj iz sodbe Altmark, ki določa, da se izvede razpisni postopek ali primerjalna analiza z uspešnim podjetjem, je Nadzorni organ v zvezi z izvedenim razpisnim postopkom, v okviru katerega je ponudbo oddalo samo podjetje Hurtigruten, dvomil, ali se lahko razpisni postopek, kot je zadevni, šteje za zadosten za zagotovitev „najnižjih stroškov za skupnost“.
This separate accounting, however, according to the Authority, has not aimed at establishing in advance the parameters of the compensation, which should be directly linked to the actual losses and costs (capacity and passenger costs) incurred by Hurtigruten.
To še zlasti drži, ker je imelo podjetje Hurtigruten znatno konkurenčno prednost, ki je okrepila njegov položaj v razpisnem postopku, saj je že imelo plovila, ki so ustrezala zahtevam iz razpisnih pogojev.
The Authority, further, expressed doubts on the way Hurtigruten's costs have been calculated and how the exact parameters have been established when adjusting the compensation, as provided for in sections 4-1 (item 3), 6 and 7 of the HA (i.e. in case of loss of production, changes in production or in case of unforeseen events).
Poleg tega je bila v skladu z razpisnimi pogoji naloga za opravljanje obveznosti javne službe objavljena v obliki treh alternativ.
In addition, the Authority noted that there have not been any parameters in place to calculate a reasonable profit margin, and the amount of compensation does not fully reflect the parameters established when Hurtigruten attempts to negotiate lower port fees while maintaining the compensation at the same level.
To bi kazalo na obstoj nadaljnjih informacij in/ali meril ponderiranja med temi alternativami.
In relation to the third condition, the Authority expressed its doubts as to whether the Norwegian authorities have ensured that the compensation granted does not exceed what is necessary to cover all or part of the costs incurred in discharging the PSO, taking into account relevant receipts and a reasonable profit for discharging those obligations.
Glede na to, da take informacije niso bile vključene, je Nadzorni organ dvomil, ali je javno naročilo, kot je bilo zasnovano, sploh vsebovalo spodbude za morebitne ponudnike, razen za podjetje Hurtigruten, da bi bili pripravljeni predložiti ponudbo v skladu z zahtevami treh različnih alternativ in za različno alternativo od tiste, ki je bila dejansko izbrana.
In reaching this preliminary conclusion, the Authority addressed the following allegations put forward by the complainants:
Nadzorni organ je nazadnje dvomil glede tega, ali je sporazum Hurtigruten združljiv z delovanjem Sporazuma EGP, saj ni prejel informacij norveških organov v zvezi s pomisleki glede združljivosti.
Hurtigruten does not reserve capacity for public service passengers, but rather sells the capacity to cruise passengers, while maintaining the public service compensation at the same level;
PRIPOMBE NORVEŠKIH ORGANOV
the compensation for providing the public service has increased substantially as compared to the previous contract period;
Norveški organi so ponovili svoje stališče, da sporazum Hurtigruten ne vključuje državne pomoči za podjetje Hurtigruten, ker so izpolnjeni vsi štirje pogoji iz sodbe Altmark.
Hurtigruten continues to receive compensation for services that are not rendered; and,
POGOJI IZ SODBE ALTMARK
Hurtigruten further attempts to get lower prices for the harbour fees, while maintaining the public service compensation at the same level.
Kar zadeva prvi pogoj iz sodbe Altmark, norveški organi trdijo, da je zadevna SSGP stalen in vsakodnevni prevoz potnikov in tovora vzdolž norveške obale z več kot 30 pristanišči postanka, pri čemer je treba poskrbeti, da je na vseh odsekih vse leto na voljo zadostna zmogljivost za potnike v okviru obveznosti javne službe.
Lastly, as regards the fourth Altmark condition, which requires the launching of a tender procedure or a benchmarking exercise with an efficient operator, the Authority, in reference to the tender procedure carried out, which resulted in only one bid from Hurtigruten, doubted whether a tender procedure, such as the one at issue, could be deemed sufficient to ensure ‘the least cost to the community’.
Dejstvo, da obstaja presežna zmogljivost, na primer na nekaterih odsekih in zlasti v zimski sezoni, je neizogibno in ne bi smelo povzročati dvomov o opredelitvi SSGP.
This is particularly so because Hurtigruten 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.
Poleg tega ta prosta zmogljivost ne kaže, da bi se ob neobstoju obveznosti javne službe zagotavljale podobne storitve prevoza, zlasti ob upoštevanju neobstoja ustreznih alternativ zaradi posebnosti storitve (tj. velike razdalje, redka poseljenost, nevihtno vreme, večinoma fiksni osnovni stroški itd.).
Moreover, according to the tender specifications, the assignment for carrying out the PSO was advertised as three alternatives.
Po mnenju norveških organov bi moral Nadzorni organ namesto tega oceniti, ali je bila pri določitvi zahteve glede zmogljivosti za 320 potnikov v okviru obveznosti javne službe in 120 ležišč storjena očitna napaka.
This would indicate the existence of further information and/or weighting criteria among those alternatives.
Norveški organi se v odgovor na argument Nadzornega organa v odločbi o začetku postopka v zvezi z izkoriščenostjo zmogljivosti in sezonskimi nihanji sklicujejo na Sklep Komisije 2013/435 o državni pomoči, ki jo je Francija odobrila družbi Société Nationale Corse Méditerranée (SNCM), v katerem je navedeno, da „[…] Komisija […] meni, da ugotovitev glede pomanjkanja zasebnih pobud za vsako zadevno linijo zunaj sezone glede na dobro opredeljeno potrebo po prevozu zadostuje za utemeljitev vključitve osnovnih storitev v okvir javnih storitev za celo leto in za vse linije“.
In view of the fact that such information was not included, the Authority doubted whether the tender as designed provided incentives to potential bidders, apart from Hurtigruten, that would have been willing to bid in accordance with the requirements of the three different alternatives and for a different alternative than the one actually chosen.
Nadzorni organ je med preiskavo obravnaval možnost, da bi podjetje Hurtigruten imelo po velikosti prilagodljivo floto glede na sezonska nihanja (npr. manjša plovila pozimi in večja poleti).
The Authority finally expressed doubts as to whether the HA is compatible with the functioning of the EEA Agreement, as it did not receive any information from the Norwegian authorities as regards compatibility considerations.
Norveški organi odgovarjajo, da bi bilo to teoretično sicer mogoče, vendar v praksi poslovno neizvedljivo, saj bi bila potrebna zelo velika flota, pri čemer bi bile lahko poleti manjše ladje razporejene drugam, pozimi pa bi bile drugam razporejene večje ladje.
COMMENTS BY THE NORWEGIAN AUTHORITIES
Poleg tega norveški organi glede vprašanja, ki ga je sprožil Nadzorni organ v zvezi s potrebno najmanjšo velikostjo plovil za plovbo na obalni povezavi Bergen–Kirkenes, menijo, da je glede na včasih zahtevne vremenske razmere na povezavi določena velikost nujna za zagotovitev rednega opravljanja storitve ter varnosti potnikov in posadke.
The Norwegian authorities reiterate their position that the HA does not entail any State aid to Hurtigruten, as all four Altmark conditions are met.
Norveški organi vsekakor menijo, da stroški upravljanja manjših plovil ne bi bili bistveno nižji.
THE ALTMARK CONDITIONS
Iz predloženih informacij je razvidno, da stroški naraščajo z velikostjo plovil, vendar ne sorazmerno s povečanjem zmogljivosti in števila ležišč, ta povečana zmogljivost pa se proda na komercialnem trgu in zagotovi pozitivni prispevek (kritje vseh variabilnih stroškov in dela fiksnih stroškov), s tem pa se zmanjša potreba po nadomestilu za opravljanje javne službe.
Concerning the first Altmark condition, the Norwegian authorities argue that the relevant SGEI is the continuous and daily transportation of passengers and cargo throughout the Norwegian coast with more than 30 ports-of-call, making sure that there is sufficient capacity available for the PSO passengers on all stretches during the whole year.
Norveški organi tudi poudarjajo, da bi bilo odobreno nadomestilo nedvomno nezadostno, če bi bila vsa plovila v floti najmanjše mogoče velikosti, ki še omogoča opravljanje prevoza na obalni povezavi.
The fact that there is surplus capacity, for instance on certain stretches and particularly during the winter season, is inevitable, and should not call into question the definition of the SGEI.
Nasprotno pa uporaba večjih plovil, ki se lahko uporabljajo tudi za komercialne namene, omogoča razporeditev stroškov in s tem nižje stroške za obveznosti javne službe.
Moreover, this spare capacity does not indicate that similar transport services would have been provided in the absence of the PSO, especially taking into account the lack of corresponding alternatives due to the particularities of the service (i.e. long distances, sparse population base, rough weather, mostly fixed cost base etc.).
V zvezi s potrebo po določeni zmogljivosti norveški organi trdijo, da je bila zmogljivost določena na ustrezni ravni (glej oddelek 5.3 spodaj o prvem poročilu skupine BDO iz leta 2016).
Rather, according to the Norwegian authorities, the question for the Authority should be to assess whether there has been a manifest error when setting the capacity requirements at 320 for PSO passengers and 120 for berths.
Nazadnje, kar zadeva dvome Nadzornega organa v zvezi s tovornim prometom na povezavi Tromsø–Kirkenes–Tromsø in dejstvo, da cena te storitve ni regulirana, norveški organi trdijo, da iz člena 4(2) uredbe o pomorski kabotaži ne izhaja, da morajo biti naložene vse zahteve, navedene v njem.
In replying to the Authority's argument in the opening decision concerning capacity utilisation and seasonal variations, the Norwegian authorities refer to Commission Decision 2013/435/EU on State aid implemented by France in favour of Société Nationale Maritime Corse-Méditerranée (SNCM), where it is stated that ‘[…] the Commission considers that the shortage of private initiative on each line in relation to a clearly identified need for transport during the off-peak periods of the year alone is sufficient to justify the inclusion of the basic service within the scope of the public service for the whole year for all these lines.’.
Podjetje Hurtigruten je sklenilo sporazum z družbo Nor Lines AS, na podlagi katerega je bila celotna zmogljivost za prevoz blaga oddana, letno plačilo na podlagi tega sporazuma pa se neposredno izraža v proračunu podjetja Hurtigruten, kakor je bil predložen v razpisnem postopku.
During the investigation, the Authority addressed the possibility of Hurtigruten having a flexible fleet in terms of size according to seasonal variations (e.g. smaller vessels during the winter and larger vessels during the summer).
V zvezi z drugim pogojem iz sodbe Altmark norveški organi med drugim navajajo sodbo Splošnega sodišča v zadevi TV2/Denmark proti Evropski komisiji, v kateri je Splošno sodišče navedlo, da ni namen drugega pogoja iz sodbe Altmark, da se nacionalnim organom naloži obveznost spremljanja višine stroškov, ki jih ima prejemnik nadomestila.
The Norwegian authorities respond that this, although theoretically possible, would in practice be commercially unfeasible because it would require a very large fleet with the possibility of deploying the smaller ships elsewhere during the summer and the larger ships elsewhere during winter.
Zato po mnenju norveških organov s tem pogojem niso naložene nikakršne omejitve glede zvišanj stroškov, ki jih je mogoče nadomestiti.
In addition, on an issue raised by the Authority concerning the necessary minimum size of the vessels to operate the Bergen – Kirkenes coastal route, the Norwegian authorities consider that a certain size is necessary, given the harsh weather conditions at times on the route, to ensure the regularity of the service and the safety of passengers and crew.
Nasprotno, namen in učinek različnih kategorij stroškov, ki so določene v razpisnih pogojih in so podlaga za ločeno računovodstvo, v povezavi z ustreznimi ključi razporeditve za ločitev stroškov obveznosti javne službe od komercialnih stroškov je očitno vzpostavitev parametrov nadomestila, medtem ko so morali določeni osnovni izračun stroškov opraviti ponudniki med postopkom oddaje javnega naročila.
In any event, according to the Norwegian authorities, the costs of operating smaller vessels would not be significantly lower.
Po mnenju norveških organov se s sodbo Altmark od organov, ki dodeljujejo nadomestilo, ne zahteva, naj izračune parametrov nadomestila oprejo izključno na model „stroškov na potnika/kilometer“.
Information submitted shows that costs increase with the size of the vessels, but not proportional to the increase in capacity and berths and this increased capacity will be sold in a commercial market and provide positive contribution (cover all variable costs and part of fixed cost) and thereby reduce the need for public service compensation.
V tej zadevi glede na zapletenost zagotovljene SSGP to preprosto ne bi bilo ustrezno, ker je bila višina nadomestila določena vnaprej na letni osnovi za celotno obdobje sporazuma Hurtigruten, medtem ko naj bi podjetje Hurtigruten prevzelo tveganje za zvišanja in znižanja stroškov in prihodkov.
Further, the Norwegian authorities stress that if all the vessels in the fleet were of the smallest size possible to operate the coastal route, the compensation granted would be clearly insufficient.
Ta pristop neto pogodbe v sporazumu Hurtigruten po mnenju Norveške ne krši drugega pogoja iz sodbe Altmark.
On the contrary, the utilisation of larger vessels that could also be used for commercial purposes would allow for cost allocation, thus lower cost for the PSO.
Kot je navedeno, se ta mehanizem uporablja kot spodbuda, da podjetje storitev opravlja čim učinkoviteje, saj mu omogoča, da vpliva na svoje stopnje dobička.
In relation to the need for the set capacity, the Norwegian authorities argue that the capacity was set at an appropriate level (see section 5.3 below on the first BDO report 2016).
Če ne bi bilo spodbude za vplivanje na stroške, bi to domnevno privedlo do višjih stroškov storitve, saj podjetje ne bi imelo koristi od tega, da bi storitev opravljalo učinkoviteje.
Finally, concerning the Authority's doubts as regards the cargo transportation for the Tromsø – Kirkenes – Tromsø route and the fact that this service is not price regulated, the Norwegian authorities argue that it does not follow from Article 4(2) of the Maritime Cabotage Regulation that all requirements indicated therein must be imposed.
Po mnenju norveških organov vprašanje torej ni, ali neto pogodba, kot je sporazum Hurtigruten, izpolnjuje drugi pogoj iz sodbe Altmark, ampak je, ali je stopnja dejansko doseženega dobička razumna ob upoštevanju – med drugim – ravni tveganja, povezanega z opravljanjem SSGP.
Hurtigruten has entered into an agreement with Nor Lines AS, whereby the entire capacity for transporting goods has been disposed of, and the annual remuneration under that agreement is directly reflected in Hurtigruten's budget, as submitted in the tender procedure.
Kar zadeva pogajanja med strankama, norveški organi navajajo, da je bila dejanska višina nadomestila na podlagi pogajanj sicer spremenjena, vendar pa parametri in metodologija za izračun nadomestila nikakor niso bili spremenjeni.
On the second Altmark condition, the Norwegian authorities cite among others the decision of the General Court in TV2/Denmark v European Commission, where the General Court stated that the second Altmark condition is not meant to impose an obligation on the national authorities to monitor the amount of the expenses incurred by the beneficiary of the compensation.
Na podlagi navedenih pogajanj je bilo nadomestilo v primerjavi s prvotno ponudbo znižano za […] milijonov NOK, tj. z […] milijonov NOK na 5120 milijonov NOK, v čemer so upoštevane tudi nekatere spremembe v javnem naročilu.
This condition, therefore, does not, according to the Norwegian authorities, impose any limits on what cost increases could be compensated.
Kar zadeva dvome Nadzornega organa glede več pogodbenih klavzul, ki dovoljujejo prilagoditev nadomestila v primeru, na primer, sprememb v opravljanju storitve ali nepredvidenih dogodkov, norveški organi trdijo, da se te klavzule ne bi smele presojati samostojno, ampak kot del celotne pogodbe.
Rather, the various cost categories set out in the tender specifications, which form the basis of the separate accounting, combined with appropriate allocation keys to separate PSO from commercial costs, clearly have the aim and effect of establishing the parameters of the compensation, whereas the specific underlying calculation of costs was for the tenderers to carry out during the procurement process.
Poleg tega v skladu s sporazumom Hurtigruten take klavzule ne morejo povzročiti bistvenih sprememb opravljanja storitve, končno nadomestilo pa mora odražati povišane stroške ali prihodke, ki izhajajo iz sprememb.
According to the Norwegian authorities, Altmark does not require granting authorities to base exclusively their calculations of the parameters of compensation on a ‘cost per passenger/kilometre’ model.
V norveških pripombah je navedeno tudi, da te klavzule niso namenjene kritju nepredvidenih izgub ali stroškov, ampak preprosto zagotovitvi ohranitve ekonomskega ravnotežja sporazuma Hurtigruten.
In the present case, given the complexity of the SGEI provided, this would simply not be relevant, as the amount of compensation was established in advance on an annual basis for the entire term of the HA, whereas Hurtigruten would carry the risk for both increases and decreases of costs and income.
V zvezi z določbo o obdobju neizvajanja storitev (off-hire) v členu 4-1 (točka 3) sporazuma Hurtigruten norveški organi menijo, da je glede na pretekle izkušnje podjetja Hurtigruten z opravljanjem storitve na leto potrebnih najmanj 110 obratovalnih dni (deset za vsako ladjo) za načrtovano vzdrževanje in nepredvidene motnje v delovanju, da lahko podjetje v celoti izpolnjuje veljavne zahteve za varno plovbo na morju.
This net contract approach of the HA does not violate, in Norway's view, the second Altmark condition.
Predložene so bile informacije, iz katerih je razvidno, da je bila v obdobju 2007–2014 zgornja meja 110 dni večinoma presežena, kar torej kaže na to, da ni bila postavljena previsoko.
As it is argued, this mechanism serves as an incentive for the company to operate the service in the most cost effective manner, providing it with the possibility to influence its profit margins.
Glede pristaniških pristojbin norveški organi navajajo, da so te za podjetje Hurtigruten stroškovni element.
Otherwise, with no incentive to influence costs, this would have presumably resulted in a higher cost for the service, as there would be no benefit for the company to run the service in a more efficient manner.
Višina pristaniških pristojbin in drugih dajatev je temeljila na norveškem zakonu o pristaniščih iz leta 2009 ter so bile kot take vključene v razpisno dokumentacijo.
The question therefore, according to the Norwegian authorities, is not whether a net contract, such as the HA, fulfil the second Altmark condition, but rather whether the level of profit actually achieved is reasonable, taking into account, inter alia, the level of risk associated with the provision of the SGEI.
Vendar je bilo po začetku veljavnosti sporazuma Hurtigruten podjetje Hurtigruten obveščeno o znatnem zvišanju cen v nekaterih pristaniščih in splošnem zvišanju cene v številnih drugih, pri čemer je to zvišanje presegalo inflacijski indeks, zajet v sporazumu Hurtigruten.
Concerning the negotiations carried out between the parties, the Norwegian authorities state that, although the actual level of compensation was altered due to the negotiations, the parameters and methodology to calculate the compensation were not in any way amended.
Po navedbah norveških organih so se pristaniške pristojbine od leta 2009 skupaj zvišale za 40,4 % (vključno s komercialnimi operacijami).
These negotiations resulted in the reduction of the compensation by NOK […] million in relation to the initial offer, i.e. from NOK […] million to NOK 5120 million, reflecting, however, also certain changes made to the tender contract.
Zato za nobeno znižanje nove in zvišane ravni pristaniških pristojbin ni mogoče šteti, da vključuje elemente državne pomoči, saj nadomestilo temelji na prvotnih nižjih pristaniških pristojbinah.
Regarding the Authority's doubts on several contract clauses allowing adjustment of compensation in case, for instance, of changes in production or in case of unforeseen events, the Norwegian authorities argue that these should not be assessed on a stand-alone basis but as part of the contract as a whole.
Nazadnje, norveški organi v zvezi z dvomi Nadzornega organa, da ni obstajala metodologija za izračun razumnega dobička, navajajo, da se ta izračuna na podlagi dobička pred davki (EBT) v zvezi s skupnimi prihodki, ob upoštevanju posebnih tveganj, povezanih z opravljanjem SSGP, kot je bila opredeljena, in v skladu s Prilogo D k razpisnim pogojem, v kateri je podrobno določen način izračuna nadomestila za opravljanje obveznosti javne službe, vključno z načeli za razporeditev stroškov.
Moreover, according to the HA such clauses cannot lead to any production changes of a material scope, and the final compensation has to reflect the increased costs or revenues stemming from the changes.
Na podlagi pogajanj je EBT končnega nadomestila znašal […] %.
It is also stated in the Norwegian submission that these clauses do not intend to cover any unforeseen losses or costs, but simply ensure that the economic balance of the HA is retained.
Vendar pa je bila dejanska stopnja dobička očitno nižja: […] % (2012), […] % (2013) in […] % (2014).
With reference to the off-hire provision in the HA section 4-1 (item 3), the Norwegian authorities consider that due to past experience of Hurtigruten on the service, at least 110 operating days (10 for each ship) per year for planned maintenance and unforeseen operational disturbances are needed, in order for the company to be in full compliance with all applicable requirements for the safe operation at sea.
Poleg tega so norveški organi pojasnili, da je bil ob pretvorbi tega EBT v ustreznejše merilo donosa, kot je donos vloženega kapitala (ROCE), ocenjeni ROCE pogodbe v razumnem razponu (glej spodnja odstavka 73 in 74 v zvezi z drugim poročilom skupine BDO iz leta 2016).
Information has been submitted showing that in the period 2007-2014, in most cases the 110 days ceiling has been exceeded, indicating therefore that that ceiling was not set high.
Kar zadeva tretji pogoj iz sodbe Altmark, je odgovor norveških organov osredotočen na argument o široki diskrecijski pravici, ki jo imajo pri modelu razporeditve stroškov, in dejstvo, da je ocena Nadzornega organa omejena na vprašanje, ali je bila pri oceni storjena očitna napaka.