Confitarma denounced as superficial and dubious analysis of Altroconsumo on ferry safety

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According Altroconsumo, the ferry is "an area that navigates in waters bad." These days the consumer association released its dossier "Security in South Sea" result of an investigation to verify the conditions of security offered by ships carrying passengers and vehicles to the islands, ships - according Altroconsumo - "not are as safe as is, "and yesterday, once again criticizing the shipping companies for rising rates of crossings that - according to the association - have increased" in an unusual way, "Altroconsumo has announced the launch of a class action to demand refund of amounts paid by customers in more of the shipping companies.

Today the President of the Italian Confederation of Ship Owners (Confitarma), Paul D'Amico, responded to the survey of Altroconsumo the lack of safety of ships.It is - said D'Amico - the "unjust and unfounded accusations against an industry, that of our passenger ferry, which contributes, along with cruises, tourism, which is" the sea ", so important to the wealth of country and which we are world leaders in size, age and ability of the fleet of transport by sea. "

Stressing "the crucial economic contribution to the country, in terms of tourism and territorial continuity, generated by the commitment of those who constantly moves by sea more than 50 million passengers a year by allowing a level playing field between citizens and continental island, at the same time multiplying and creating jobs and wealth in the territory, "the president of Confitarma noted that the dossier Altroconsumo" Italian citizens are wrongly led to believe that our ferries are unreliable. This - said D'Amico - it seems to me far too many years for those who invest their own safety and the training of highly qualified personnel. "

"It is good to clarify once and for all - said D'Amico - a ship that does not meet safety standards and can not travel because it is immediately blocked by the Maritime Port! How could anyone think that the Italian Register of Shipping and the maritime administration, deputies always the scrutineering and control of our ferries, not do their duty? As you can only imagine - said the president of the owner - to become world leaders without being, do not say best, but among the best? How can anyone believe that people who invented the modern "cruise ferries", who has the world record of the motorways of the sea and who is the prime numbers in the continent-island passenger transport can ignore the main obligation of an operator of quality: safety? Do not mess with security: prevention, testing, monitoring, attention to everything that can be a source of danger and on this front we are committed. "

"How can they be tolerated - has again asked D'Amico - initiatives, even though limited and isolated compared with all consumer groups, who, pretending to give a voice to the consumer's rights, endanger image, budgets, jobs denigrating important shipping companies that for decades linking large islands to the mainland, leading companies rooted in maritime history and economy of the country? How can you question the professionalism of thousands of Italian workers and experts able to operate both on board the ferry flying the national flag on the ground? "

"In the" high seas "- said the president of Confitarma - moves an industry that is the pride of a nation, creates jobs and wealth, on board and ashore, it generates a significant share of national GDP, and culture are linked economy, it delivers what is necessary to life (from renewable energy to end products) and you can also have fun. Safely. "

"Not for me, as president of the Italian Confederation of Ship Owners - said D'Amico - answering the specific terms used in this survey with superficiality, bad choice of time and especially on the technical evaluations easily disproved. Even as companies have ongoing legal action to protect their immediate interests in the appropriate forums. I would just have to remember that each ship has its own security plan approved by authorities and agencies, checking once or twice a year and on the salvage equipment, their number and their location. However, it is for me to repeat the strong condemnation by the community owner to instrumental actions that may undermine the image right now of those engaged daily in a field of traffic at the same time so delicate and so important to the general interests of the country " .
. L'analisi dei prezzi dei traghetti di Altroconsumo company is adults children accommodation car cost 2010 cost March 2011 increase Total (%) increase total euro GNV GE Olbia 2 2 cab ext. 1 573 981 71.20 408 GNV GE Olbia 2 2 cab ext. 1 539 951 76.44 412 GNV GE P Torres 2 2 cab ext. 1 662.9 1092.9 64.87 430 Moby Lines GE P Torres 2 - armchair 1 140.8 327.4 132.53 186.6 Moby Lines GE P Torres 2 1 cab ext. 1 714.8 1109 55.15 394.2 Moby Lines GE Olbia 2 2 cab ext. 1 527.5 919.72 74.35 392.22 Sardinia Ferries G. LI Orange 2 2 cab ext. 1 270.82 477.82 76.43 207 Sardinia Ferries G. LI Orange 1 - place bridge motion 52.2 121.84 133.41 69.64
Meanwhile, earlier this year after reporting an increase in the prices of the Antitrust ferries considered abnormal signaling, which - along with those of other consumer groups has prompted the Competition and Market to open a ' investigation ( of 17 May 2011), Altroconsumo just announced the start of a class action to ask the court to be found to infringe the competition rules (in practice - said the association - the existence of a cartel among Moby four companies, SNAV, Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) and Forship - Sardinia Ferries) and will be reimbursed for expenses that most of the passengers were forced to pay. "According to our investigations, confirmed by the data currently available to the Antitrust Authority - said the Consumers' Association - we are talking about increases ranging from 90% to 110%." With the class action asks Altroconsumo so that travelers will be refunded half of my money.