On 17 November, the competition authority imposed a fine of €187.5 million on TotalEnergies Marketing France, two companies in the Rubis group and EG Retail for what it alleged to be an “anticompetitive agreement” on the distribution of fuels on the Mediterranean island.
In 2021, the FCA launched an investigation into practices in the road fuel distribution sector in Corsica. After receiving a complaint from in September 2022, it then combined its own investigation and the complaint into a single case.
In its decision, the FCA sanctions several companies, which are shareholders of Dépôts Pétroliers de la Corse (DPLC) and active in the supply, storage and distribution of road fuels in Corsica, for “implementing an anticompetitive agreement consisting of a written agreement to reserve a right of passage within Corsican fuel depots for their sole benefit”.
In response, Rubis said took note of the decision but stated it was “appalled by the content”.
Rubis went on to say the ruling “fails to reflect the actual facts, and (Rubis) firmly denies the practices alleged by the Authority”. “The Group has consistently worked to ensure reliable and competitive fuel supply for the Corsican market, to the benefit of consumers on the island,” the statement continued.
Of the €187.5 million fine, Rubis SCA has been fined a total of €64.24 million, along with its subsidiary Rubis Énergie, and an additional €430,000, for its former subsidiary Rubis Terminal.
Rubis said it “is carefully reviewing the Competition Authority’s decision with a view to filing an appeal before the Paris Court of Appeal”.