Eurotunnel/SeaFrance issues statement
17 Dec 2012
The Competition Commission (CC) has published an issues statement as part of its investigation into the completed acquisition by Groupe Eurotunnel SA (Eurotunnel) of certain assets of former ferry operator, SeaFrance SA (SeaFrance).
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) referred the case in October, and the CC will decide whether the acquisition may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition in any market or markets for goods or services in the UK.
Eurotunnel provides rail transport services to both passengers and freight customers across the narrowest section of the English Channel via the Channel Tunnel. Prior to its liquidation in January 2012, SeaFrance provided ferry services to both passengers and freight customers across the same section of the English Channel between Dover and Calais.
The CC is expected to publish its final report by 14 April 2013.
The issues statement identifies clearly for all interested parties the key questions which the inquiry is examining. The issues statement does not imply that the Inquiry Group has yet identified any competition concerns.
The full issues statement is available on the inquiry home page along with all other information relating to the investigation.
Any interested party is invited to respond to the issues statement, in writing, by no later than 4 January 2013.
To submit evidence, please email: Eurotunnel.SeaFrance@cc.gsi.gov.uk or write to:
Inquiry Manager
Eurotunnel/SeaFrance inquiry
Competition Commission
Victoria House
Southampton Row
LONDON
WC1B 4AD
Notes for editors
1. The CC is an independent public body, which carries out investigations into mergers,
markets and the regulated industries.
2. The members of the Eurotunnel/SeaFrance Inquiry Group are: Alasdair Smith
(Chairman of the Group and CC Deputy Chairman), Robin Aaronson, Ivar Grey
and Malcolm Nicholson.
3. The Enterprise Act 2002 empowers the OFT to refer to the CC completed or
proposed mergers for investigation and report which create or enhance a 25 per cent
share of supply in the UK (or a substantial part thereof) or where the UK turnover
associated with the enterprise being acquired is over £70 million.
4. The CC has a 24-week period in which it is required to publish its report, which may
be extended by no more than eight weeks if it considers that there are special
reasons why the report cannot be published within that period.
5. Further information on this inquiry, including the terms of reference and other key
documents, as well as on the CC and its procedures, including its policy on the
provision of information and the disclosure of evidence, can be obtained from the CC
website at: www.competition-commission.org.uk.
6. Enquiries should be directed to Rory Taylor or Siobhan Allen or by ringing 020 7271
0242.
