The European Commission has found that public funding of €270 million to build a new cross‑Channel terminal in the Port of Calais is in line with EU state aid rules.
The new infrastructure furthers EU transport policy objectives without unduly distorting competition in the internal market.
The EU Commissioner for Competiton Ms Margrethe Vestager , welcomed the decision: “ This is a good example of how Member States can boost infrastructure investments without damaging competition in the Single Market. This French project has attracted private funding in order to complete a project which could not have been started without this cooperation. Furthermore, this is a trans-European project that will enable a better flow of cross-Channel links and stronger trade exchanges between the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.”
In April 2015, the French authorities had indicated that they intended to finance a project to expand the Port of Calais, with the funding coming from the French State and local authorities in Pas-de-Calais and, subject to approval, the European Union through the Connecting Europe Facility.
The project to expand the Port of Calais includes, in particular, the building of a new terminal. The investment will allow better operation of cross-Channel sea transport services.
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