Moby-Tirrenia, 5 ferries auctioned for 229.9 million euros

Five ferries for sale starting at EUR 229.9 million to close the Moby match with the competition authority. The Onorato Group company, has put up for "voluntary non-judicial" sale, Moby Aki (Moby), Moby Wonder (Moby), Athara (Cin), Janas (Cin) and Moby Ale 2 (Cin).

Everything had arisen following the investigation launched by the Antitrust Authority after the operation that had seen Aponte enter the game in the rescue of Moby Cin. "Following the enquiry launched by the Antitrust Authority against the company and other operators in the sector, an enquiry originated by a report presented by a competitor, a framework of shared commitments has been defined that will allow a new strategic and industrial phase to be launched," reads a Moby note dated 24 October. The commitments undertaken by Moby S.p.A. include, among other things, a path of capital reinforcement and reorientation of the business model, which will lead the company to zero its financial debt and that towards the national and international banking system".

The agreement provides for the withdrawal of Aponte and the financing that held up the operation. An exit that entails the repayment of 243 million euros. And this is where the sale of the five ships comes in. "This will also be pursued through the divestment of some non-strategic assets, aimed at ensuring maximum financial solidity and promoting a sustainable long-term development plan."

However, that is not all. Because two of the five ships will not take any other sea routes. "The sale of the vessels "Moby Aki" and "Moby Wonder"," reads the sales portal, "takes place in the factual and legal state in which they are at the date of sale and delivery and with the obligation for the successful bidder to contextually stipulate, with Moby S.p.A, which will become lessee, of a bareboat lease contract for each vessel for the duration of years (15) fifteen at a daily rent of EUR 15,000 on the basis of the terms and conditions set forth in the Bimco Barecon 2017 form logically amended". The successful bidder shall undertake not to change the name of the vessels.

Then there is the issue of connections and personnel. "As far as employment is concerned, Moby confirms that the high demand for maritime personnel will allow the re-absorption of any redundancies deriving from the new industrial set-up within the sector, thus guaranteeing the full valorisation of the professionalism present on the national market," Moby writes, "The Companies will actively collaborate with the trade unions to accompany this process in the most effective and shared way possible. Expressing some concern are the unions. "We will hold a meeting in Livorno with the employers' association," says Arnaldo Boeddu, secretary of Filt trasporti, "because we would not like there to be a risk for the staff currently in service. Especially for those who are not embarked but work on land'.