September 19, 2025
- Background: France Manche SA and The Channel Tunnel Group Ltd (“Eurotunnel”) filed a complaint against DFDS and P&O Ferries.
- Allegations: The two operators were accused of a capacity-sharing agreement on the Calais–Dover route, with a mechanism to rebalance capacity.
- Legal Basis: Objection raised under Article 101 TFEU and Article L. 420-1 of the French Commercial Code.
- Decision: The Autorité found no anticompetitive purpose in the agreement.
- Key Findings:
- Capacity could be shared proportionally and adjusted at any time.
- Both operators retained incentives to optimise costs, improve services and remain price-competitive.
Conclusion: The Autorité de la Concurrence ruled that the arrangement did not restrict competition. [source]
Photo Mike Louagie
