Major port deal: Late yesterday afternoon, notice of approval was received from the EU Commission for the acquisition of Älvsborg Ro/Ro AB – the Ro-Ro Terminal at the Port of Gothenburg – by DFDS and C.Ro Ports. The transfer is planned for the beginning of May.Sven Hulterström, Chairman of the Port of Gothenburg, describes it as “a decision eagerly awaited by both employees and customers”. It was in October 2010 that DFDS and C.Ro Ports signed a 25-year agreement with the Port of Gothenburg to operate Älvsborg Ro/Ro. The matter first went to the Swedish Competition Authority but because of the nature of the deal it was referred to the ECA, the European Competition Authorities, which conducted a thorough investigation. The investigation revealed that there is sufficient competition on the ro-ro routes between Gothenburg and other countries in northern Europe and it is obvious from the agreement between the Port of Gothenburg and the new operator that the terminal must act in a non-discriminatory manner and welcome new customers. The actual takeover is expected to take place at the beginning of May, at which point DFDS and C.Ro Ports will assume responsibility for the Terminal and around 280 employees. Sven Hulterström continues: “EU approval means that the final piece in the new Port of Gothenburg organisation is in place. We can now devote all our efforts to focusing on the future and the further development of the principal freight hub in Scandinavia.