The acquisition of ESTIA ehf. by Samherji hf.

The Competition Authority has been reviewing the acquisition of ESTIA ehf. by Samherji hf., a holding company which, among other things, owns the majority stake in Slippinn Akureyri ehf. As a result of the transaction, Samherji will gain control of Slippinn Akureyri. Samherji is one of the country's most prominent fishing companies and Slippurinn Akureyri is the country's largest shipyard. The transaction will therefore result in vertical integration, in that alongside its fishing operations, the Samherji group will own Slippurinn Akureyri, which provides fishing companies with essential repair and maintenance services. The Competition Authority therefore considers it necessary to ensure equal access for fishing companies to the company's services. Negotiations with the merger parties have therefore led to them entering into a settlement with the Authority, which will ensure equal access for fishing companies to the company's services. The Authority considers that the settlement will eliminate any potential negative effects on competition that might otherwise arise from the merger.