The CNMC includes two Renfe executives in its investigation for anti-competitive practices in freight transport.

The National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) has expanded the disciplinary proceedings it opened against Renfe in July 2024 for potentially restrictive practices in the freight sector to include two of the company's executives .

Specifically, the case affects the companies Renfe-Operadora Public Business Entity (Renfe Operadora), Renfe Mercancías State-owned Mercantile Company (Renfe Mercancías) and Pecovasa Renfe Mercancías State-owned Mercantile Company (Pecovasa).

The extension of the file concerns a director of Renfe Mercancías and another of Pecovasa , its subsidiary specialized in automobile transport , according to a statement from the CNMC.

"The extension does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation . The maximum period of 18 months, from the date of the initial initiation, for the investigation and resolution of the case remains in place," explains the Competition Authority.

The regulator is investigating whether Renfe Mercancías and Pecovasa restricted competition in a tender for rail traction services launched on January 20, 2022, by Pecovasa, in which Renfe Mercancías was awarded the contract.

"These practices could violate Article 2 of the Competition Act (CCA) and Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)," argued the Competition Authority.

The case was initiated following a complaint filed by the Association of Private Railway Companies . The CNMC subsequently initiated a confidential investigation and carried out inspections in October 2023.

As a result of these investigations, the regulator found "reasonable indications" that Renfe Operadora, Renfe Mercancías, and Pecovasa may have violated Article 2 of the LDC and Article 102 of the TFEU.