8.11.2002 Official Journal of the European Communities L 307/49 COMMISSION DECISION of 17 July 2002 on the aid scheme implemented by Italy in order to reduce the number of single-hull tankers older than 20 years in the Italian tanker fleet (notified under document number C(2002) 2437) (Only the Italian text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2002/868 EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 88(2) thereof, Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 62(1)(a) thereof, Having called on interested parties to submit their comments pursuant to the provision(s) cited above and having regard to their comments (1), Whereas: 1. PROCEDURE (1) By letter No 542 of 15 January 2001, registered on 18 January 2001 as SG(2001)A[787, Italy notified, in accordance with Article 88(3) of the EC Treaty, a draft aid scheme to speed up the elimination of single-hull tankers 20 years of age or older. By letter of 23 February 2001, registered on the same day, Italy sent details of the current status of the draft law. By letter of 6 March 2001, the Commission asked the Italian Government to supply further information, which was received by letter No 5786 of 4 May 2001, registered on 7 May 2001 as SG(2001)A/5870. Thereafter, Italy provided additional information by letter No 8665 of 5 July 2001, registered on 10 July 2001, by letter of 19 July 2001, registered on 23 July 2001, by letter of 3 September 2001, registered on 4 September 2001, by letter of 25 Septem- ber 2001, registered on 9 October 2001 (as SG(2001)A/ 11100), by letter of 24 October 2001, registered on 24 October 2001 (as SG(2001)A/11814), and by letter of 22 November 2001, registered on 27 November 2001 as No 14632. (1) OJ C€50,23.2.2002, p. 7. (2) By Decision of 20 December 2001, notified to the Italian Government by letter dated 28 December 2001 (SG(2001) D/293162), the Commission initiated the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the Treaty in respect of the present aid. The procedure has been registered under C 97/2001. (3)  The Commission Decision to initiate the formal investi- gation procedure has been published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (3). The Commission invited interested parties to submit their comments on the aid. (4)  Ttaly forwarded comments to the Commission by letter of 25 January 2002, registered on 31 January 2002. A further letter with additional information and commit- ments was sent on 3 May 2002. (5)  Within the time frame indicated in the publication, the Commission received comments from the following interested parties: the Comité Central des Armateurs de France by letter of 21 March 2002, the Swedish shipowners’ association by letter of 21 March 2002, the Chamber of Shipping by letter of 21 March 2002, Norges Rederiforbund by letter of 21 March 2002, the Norwegian Royal Ministry of Trade and Industry by letter of 22 March 2002, Danmarks Rederiforening by letter of 21 March, and finally Mediterranea di Navigazione by letter of 4 March 2002. The Commission also received comments from Ermewa Maritime by letter of 4 April and Confitarma by letter of 25 March, sent after the expiry of the formal deadline for reaction of 22 March 2002. (2) See footnote 1.