22/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 18 December, the European Commission gave the green light to the proposed acquisition of the Dutch company SBI Holding by the German company Bominflot Bunkergesellschaft für Mineralöle mbH & Co KG. The Commission examined the competitive impact of the planned operation, particularly horizontal overlaps between the activities of SBI and of Bominflot in the supply of bunker fuels, marine lubricants and marine gasoil, and the vertical link existing between the bulk retail market for bunker fuels and the retail supply of bunker fuels. Its investigation was able to satisfy it that the planned merger would not significantly modify the competitive conditions on the market in question, as there would still be plenty of rivals able to supply bunker fuel to end-users. The Commission therefore concluded that the operation in question would not raise any competition problems. (O.L./transl.fl)