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UK/France: French ferries blocked from English port

By  |  June 6, 2013

As a result of concerns that France-based Groupe Eurotunnel ferry company would dominate more than half of the ferry market thanks to its recent acquisition of three ferries, the Competition Commission has ruled that Eurotunnel will not be allowed to dock in the English down of Dover for two years. Eurotunnel first entered the sea transport business in 2012 with its buyout of three ferries for more than $86 million from now-defunct Sea France. The buyout has raised concerns several times among competitors as the Commission confirmed the company currently controls about 40 percent of the market. French antitrust regulators approved of the buyout last November. The decision by the Commission will now block Eurotunnel’s access to the Dover Straight, which, according to reports, is one of the world’s busiest seaways for international commercial vessels.

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    Full Content: Reuters

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