Brussels, 16/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - On 16 January the European Commission cleared the proposed acquisition of C-Map, an Italian company producing electronic marine charts, by the Boeing Company of the US. Boeing is active worldwide in the commercial aircraft, defence and space industries and related services. C-Map produces and distributes electronic marine charts, personal computer (PC) navigational software and marine hardware devices on a world-wide basis. With the proposed acquisition, Boeing would gain control over C-Map's electronic marine navigational charting business.
The Commission's examination of the deal showed that the horizontal overlaps between the activities of Boeing and C-Map are limited and that, for all the product categories concerned (electronic marine charts, PC navigational software and marine hardware) the combined entity would continue to face several strong, effective competitors.
The Commission therefore concluded that the operation would not significantly hinder effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or in a substantial part of it. (cd)