Brussels, 14/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has authorised the creation of a joint venture between the American group Maersk Data and the German Eurogate IT Services. Known as Global Transport Solutions (GTS), the new company will provide IT services to port terminal operators and companies that manage inter-modal and marine businesses related to port terminal operations. Maersk Data, itself involved in terminal operation activities, is a subsidiary of the Danish shipping group A.P. Møller, which builds and supports application systems for transportation networks which are supplied to the transportation and logistics industry. Eurogate IT Services is controlled by Eurogate GmbH, Germany, which aims to provide services of information technology for both companies in the Eurogate Group and for third parties. Eurogate is active in container terminal services and intermodal transport. The Commission does not believe that the operation will create any competition problems, as there are several other established players in the markets. Nor does it feel that there is any danger of co-ordination of the competitive conduct of the parent companies on the information technology market to port terminal operators.