The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is seeking permission to submit a case to the UK’s Court of Appeal following its verdict on the Eurotunnel deal.
Recently, Eurotunnel’s MyFerryLink received a favourable verdict from the appeals court, strengthening its battle against the CMA’s decision to block its operation between Dover and Calais.
The CMA previously stopped Groupe Eurotunnel from entering the Dover-Calais ferry route, saying that its acquisition of SeaFrance in 2012 allowed the company to hold a dominant share of the cross-channel market.
The authority will also request the Court of Appeal to suspend the effects of its current order.
According to the CMA, it aims to protect the interests of passengers and freight customers, as allowing Eurotunnel to operate the short sea route, as well as the competing rail link, would damage competition.
Previously, after the authority’s decision to prohibit running of the service, Groupe Eurotunnel decided to sell the English Channel passenger and freight ferry company, MyFerryLink.
Later, Groupe Eurotunnel subcontracted operation of the ferries Rodin, Berlioz and Nord-Pas-de-Calais to an independent company, the SCOP SeaFrance.
Commenting on the Court of Appeal’s verdict, MyFerryLink CEO Raphael Doutrebente and COO Jean-Michel Giguet said that the decision should now end the CMA’s attempts to suppress the business.
Image: The CMA aims to protect the interests of passengers and freight customers in UK. Photo: courtesy of Competition and Markets Authority/Crown copyright.
