Press Release: Mergers: Commission clears DFDS proposed acquisition of Norfolk , subject to conditions

The European Commission approved on 17 June 2010 under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of Norfolk, a ferry and cargo shipping provider in the North Sea, by DFDS of Denmark. The approval is conditional upon the conclusion by DFDS of a space charter agreement on routes between the UK and Denmark. The Commission had concerns that the transaction, as initially notified, would have led to a quasi-monopoly on these routes. However, in light of the remedies offered by the parties, the Commission concluded that the acquisition would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.