Investigation of Competition Commission on the Concession of the Commercial Railway Station in Thrace II
The Competition Commission is moving forward with an investigation into the establishment of a joint venture between Hellenic Train and DAMCO ENERGY A.E. (Kopelouzos Group) for the operation, maintenance, exploitation, completion of studies, construction works, and equipment supply of Thrace II. This competitive process is expected to last at least 3 months.
The Hellenic Train and its Dominance in the Market
It is worth mentioning that, according to a relevant announcement, the Competition Commission estimates that the Hellenic Train has a very high market share in the provision of railway freight transport services and in the maintenance of railway equipment market. Already, through the transaction, it acquires a very high market share in the provision of management and operation services of a bimodal (road/rail) freight terminal, raising concerns.
Concerns about the impact of mergers on competition
During the process of a full investigation, the Competition Authority will examine whether the concerns about the compatibility of the merger with the competition requirements in the specific markets involved are confirmed. It is clarified that, according to the provisions of Article 8 (4) of Law 3959/2011, the participating companies can jointly make modifications to the merger or to
Antitrust Issues and Market Competition
Antitrust laws are designed to prevent anti-competitive practices that could harm market competition. When two companies merge, there may be concerns about the impact on competition in the relevant markets. The Competition Authority will thoroughly investigate these concerns to ensure that the merger complies with competition rules and does not harm consumers or other businesses.
Ensuring Compliance with Competition Laws
Companies must commit to not raising serious doubts about their compatibility with the requirements of competition in the specific markets they concern. These commitments should be communicated to the Competition Commission. Finally, the decision of the Competition Commission on the merger will be issued within ninety (90) days from the date of initiation of the full investigation process.
