The Competition Authority (AdC) decided to carry out an “in-depth investigation” into the purchase of Remolcanosa Portugal, Serviços Marítimos by the Spanish maritime towing services group Boluda because the operation “raises serious doubts”.
The decision, taken on December 23, comes “since the notified concentration operation raises serious doubts, in light of the elements collected, and in view of the defined criteria (…) regarding its compatibility with the established criterion (…), with regard to the identified relevant market”.
On August 1, the Spanish group of maritime towing services Boluda had notified the AdC about the acquisition of exclusive control of Remolcanosa Portugal – Serviços Marítimos, according to a note published on the entity’s website.
“The concentration operation consists of the acquisition, by BT Luxembourg II, S.À RL, integrated into the Boluda Group, of exclusive control of Remolcanosa Portugal – Serviços Marítimos, SA and its subsidiaries”, indicated the AdC.
The Boluda group explains that it operates internationally in the provision of maritime towing services, in maritime and land transport, as well as in port logistics, and in Portugal it is active in “providing maritime towing services at the PSA Terminal in the Port of Sines, in the regular transport of containers with calls at the port of Leixões and the port of Setúbal, as well as in the provision of mooring services at the PSA Terminal in the Port of Sines”.
Remolcanosa is a Portuguese company that operates in the area of maritime towing services, with a presence in the ports of Viana do Castelo, Aveiro, Figueira da Foz, Lisbon, Setúbal, Sines and Portimão.
In addition, it provides ocean towing services, “covering offshore operations, maritime rescue and mooring services” and also provides professional diving and ship repair services.
Its subsidiaries are the companies Reboport – Sociedade Portuguesa de Reboques Marítimos, SA, Tinita – Transportes e Reboques Marítimos, SA, Multisub – Serviços de Mergulho Profissional, SA, Rebonave – Reboques e Assistência Naval, SA, and Gironave – Indústrias Metalomecânicas, Lda., detailed the AdC.