Brussels, 15/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has authorised the Dutch groups, Koninklijke BAM and Van Oord, to create a joint undertaking that will merge their dredging activities. Called Bagger Holding, the new company will become the world leader for major dredging projects. Nonetheless, given the number of large companies that remain on the market and other well-equipped, world-wide players, the Commission found that sufficient competitive pressure remains. The Commission also found the operation would create the largest player for small dredging projects in the Netherlands but, here too, the new company will continue to face three sizeable competitors and many small competitors.