{"id":142675,"date":"2024-10-22T19:47:02","date_gmt":"2024-10-22T09:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=57322"},"modified":"2024-10-22T19:47:02","modified_gmt":"2024-10-22T09:47:02","slug":"romania-confirms-controversial-plan-cfr-marfa-assets-to-go-to-carpatica-feroviar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=142675","title":{"rendered":"Romania confirms controversial plan: CFR Marf\u0103 assets to go to Carpatica Feroviar"},"content":{"rendered":"

What was expected now seems to be confirmed, as Romania\u2019s newly founded state-owned rail freight operator Carpatica Feroviar is supposed to take over assets from the state\u2019s other rail freight operator, the financially ruined CFR Marf\u0103. However, Romania\u2019s Competition Council acknowledges that such a move could prove to be legally problematic, and is looking for approval from the European Commission.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>In an attempt to save state rail freight, Romania founded Carpatica Feroviar in anticipation of the bankruptcy of CFR Marf\u0103. The latter has to return over half a billion euros in illegal state aid following a European Commission decision in 2020, an obligation it cannot fulfill. However, Romania\u2019s plan to let Carpatica Feroviar purchase CFR Marf\u0103 assets, again with government funding, may once more amount to state aid. It is casting serious doubts over the plan.<\/p>\n

The country\u2019s Competition Council has now said that it is waiting for approval from the European Commission. If, however, Carpatica Feroviar is determined to be the legal heir to CFR Marf\u0103, it could inherit the latter\u2019s debts, putting a spanner in the works of Romania\u2019s plan.<\/p>\n