Brussels, 08/08/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has approved the creation of a joint-venture between the Dutch companies Hollandse Beton Groep and Ballast Nedam N.V. in the dredging sector (whereby soil or other materials are removed from the bottom of the sea or inland waterways, such as rivers, lakes or ports, etc., to store or use them for land reclamation or other use, as well as the construction and maintenance of ports and waterways, trenching for marine pipelines and immersed tunnels and removal of surface layers). The two companies are to transfer their drainage activities to a joint-venture called Ballast HAM Baggeren N.V, whereas they will continue to be present individually in their main business, building and construction, says a Commission press release. The latter considers that the operation will not create a dominant position on the markets concerned, due to the presence of several powerful competitors, even though it will give rise to a "large player".
Early July of last year (Boskalis/HBG decision), the Commission had approved a planned concentration between the two leading Dutch dredging companies, but the latter abandoned the project.