Fjord1 saka: – It will tøffare competition in Western Norway – NRK

– Torghatten GUIDES so I understand it, to get a complete foothold in Western Norway. If there was still the ambition, so must they compete for tender which will be posted there, something which in turn means tøffare competition for Fjord1 and Norled, says Gisle Solvoll at Bodø University College.

He is one of them leading researchers and experts in transport in Norway, and he is not surprised the conclusion that the Competition Authority presented yesterday. Dei let down Prohibitions that Torghatten, which is the largest ferry company will buy Sogn og Fjordane county its shares in Fjord1. Had EiT such acquisitions gone through it would only Vore two large and ein small player left in Marknaden, something Authority believes would weaken competition excessively. Solvoll believe that no can be ein contradictory situation.

CONTRARY : Saka about who should s native Fjord1 and ferries that traffic several lines in western Norway has prega Sogn og Fjordane lately.

Photo: Rune Fossum / NRK

– Torghatten might go hardare in and count themselves somewhat lower to gain a foothold on the West Coast. Competition in Western Norway will probably sharpen. Then we’ll see if Torghatten is so talented and operators to price so low soil that they win tender to come, victory Solvoll.

Sogn og Fjordane county are members of a difficult economic situation, facility and a saddle of the shares in Fjord 1 would coveted sorely trengde pengar at checkout. The County Council was divided in Decision and County Mayor Jenny Følling was surprised då Competition Authority presented its conclusion.

– Eg are surprised all the time Torghatten seen running major structural measures and other mitigation measures. I think also the industry generally surprised because they have believed that it would be possible with a consolidation gain four to three companies, said Følling NRK då.

Solvoll meiner for their part that the immediate vonbrotet forkjemparane for saddled experience no, can be turned in a longer perspective.

– Ei income com could become ethene by higher prices later. With fewer tenderers to buy services from, so the price goes up and quality down well. Fewer breathe the companies in the neck when they shall enter the tender, ein win tender with higher prices. For NPRA and county could become dyrare when ferry links going out to tender, think Solvoll.

The decision from the Competition Authority may ankast into Industry and Fisheries Ministry, but the county has found preliminary not frying position on this . Solvoll have whatever little tru that ein complaint will change the situation.

– There are not many examples of the decisions of the Competition Authority are being tried, so it will probably keep standing.