25/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - On 24 April, the Commission decided to approve aid of €95.3 million to the company InterFerryBoats, provided by funds from its mother company, the Belgian national railway operator SNCB. InterFerryBoats, which provides specialist liaison logistics services between maritime and railway transport, suffered heavy losses further to its expansion onto the French market. The Commission's in-depth investigation, which was launched in 2005, showed that competition distortions will be limited, particularly due to the company's complete withdrawal from the French market and major reductions in capacity on the Belgian market. This dossier must be seen against the background of the European railway companies' plans to adjust to the opening up of the rail freight market to competition, which took place on 1 January 2007. (cd)