Mediterranean Shipping War: French Lawmakers Blast Italian Giant’s ’Predatory Dumping’

"For several years, a silent war has been raging on the seas of the Mediterranean. It opposes not only ships, but two visions of commerce: on the one hand, that of maritime operators concerned with profitability, social equity, and national sovereignty. On the other hand, that of an actor supported by a financial giant who, line after line, is breaking the balance of naturally sustainable companies," analyze 18 deputies and senators from the Mediterranean coast (elected in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Corsica and Occitania) in an op-ed published by le marin. In their sights, GNV, (Grandi navi veloci), a subsidiary of the MSC group.

"In three years, GNV has lost more than 500 million euros, including 257 million in 2024, without ever slowing its expansion. Why? Because it can afford to: MSC is massively injecting capital (290 million euros in 2024), covering the abysmal losses without demanding short-term profitability. This behavior, totally disconnected from the usual economic rules, has a name: predatory dumping. From the service of Morocco and Algeria from Sète to the service of the Balearic Islands, GNV applies the same recipe: unique commercial aggressiveness, abundant fleet, and zero local social obligation," denounce the French parliamentarians.

According to them, these practices could lead straight to bankruptcy. "In a normal competitive market, this would lead to bankruptcy. In the case of GNV, it leads to the conquest of market share, even if the competitors respecting the tax, social and commercial rules disappear. In France, the French companies champions of the employment of French sailors and the French flag, are experiencing this brutal experience. France is losing ground, the national flag is receding, in favor of a company operating under the Italian flag, with low-cost contract sailors and totally supported by a shareholder based in Switzerland," they observe.

The elected officials have made it known that in Rome, the Italian Competition Authority has launched an investigation into the links between GNV, MSC and Moby, another weakened player that MSC is supporting in an operation deemed questionable by this same authority. "Suspicions of collusion, disguised monopoly and opaque financial circuit have been raised. MSC had to back down in the face of potential financial sanctions," they add, questioning the silence of Paris or Brussels when the consequences are clear. "GNV is creating a dangerous precedent where economic loss becomes a commercial weapon, made possible only by the financial strength of MSC," the French parliamentarians further denounce.

"What maritime sovereignty for France?" question the French elected officials, calling for a "regulatory and strategic awakening, in France as in Europe." "It is urgent to: condition access to French ports on clear social, tax and environmental commitments; put an end to commercial naivety in the face of predatory strategies supported by ultra-capitalized conglomerates; protect lines of national interest with the sovereignty tools that the law allows. The Mediterranean Sea cannot become the playground of a compass-less capitalism. It is a space of life, public service, and sovereignty. It is time to defend it," conclude the signatories of the op-ed.