Ferry all-clear likely
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• International operators could soon be dealing with a relatively unfettered joint venture between P&O and Stena on the busiest Channel crossings.
The latest signals from the competition authorities scrutinising the proposed merger between the two ferry companies suggest that the link-up will be allowed with relatively few conditions.
P&O and Stena may simply be asked to treat their combined operation on the Dover-Calais, Dover-Zeebrugge and Newhaven-Dieppe routes as a stand-alone entity which runs its vessels and marketing distinct from their other separate businesses.
The competition authorities believe international truck operators would still have a choice of Channel crossing as Eurotunnel and Seafrance would he competing with the P&O/Stena consortium.
Margaret Beckett, President of the Board of Trade, is expected to pronounce on the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the deal sometime in June. The European Commission, which will ultimately decide the issue because it has implications for trade within the EU—should make an announcement before the middle of June.
• Earlier analysis of the merger by the competition authorities had suggested that the two ferry operators would be subject to stringent conditions, including joint ticketing and time tabling not only between P&O and Stena but other ferry and hovercraft operators on the affected routes.