Brussels, 4 October 2024
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control over Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft (‘HHLA’) of Germany by SAS Shipping Agencies Services S.à.r.l. (‘SAS Lux’), of Luxembourg, and HGV Hamburger Gesellschaft für Vermögens- und Beteiligungsmanagement mbH (‘HGV’), of Germany.
The transaction relates primarily to the container terminal services and port transport and logistics sector.
The Commission concluded that the proposed concentration would not raise competition concerns, given its limited impact on competition in the markets where the companies are active. The Commission examined the vertical and horizontal aspects of the merger and concluded that there was no risk of foreclosure or other competition concerns, due to the presence of sufficient competitors to ensure access to the services concerned and to the North European ports. The notified transaction was examined under the normal merger control procedure.
More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11302.