# C_2018155EN.01001301.xml

| 3.5.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 155/13 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

3.5.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 155/13

---

Prior notification of a concentration

(Case M.8895 — 3i/FSI/Hermes/Scandlines)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 155/08)

| 1. | On 25 April 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).
  This notification concerns the following undertakings:






  — | 3i Group plc (‘3i’, UK), |
| --- | --- | --- |

1.

On 25 April 2018, the Commission received notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1).

1

This notification concerns the following undertakings:

—

3i Group plc (‘3i’, UK),

| — | First State Investments International Limited (‘FSI’, Australia), |
| --- | --- |

—

First State Investments International Limited (‘FSI’, Australia),

| — | Hermes GPE LLP, belonging to Hermes Investment Management Group (‘Hermes’, UK), |
| --- | --- |

—

Hermes GPE LLP, belonging to Hermes Investment Management Group (‘Hermes’, UK),

| — | Scandlines Holding ApS (‘Scandlines’, Denmark). |
| --- | --- |

—

Scandlines Holding ApS (‘Scandlines’, Denmark).

3i, FSI and Hermes acquire within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) and 3(4) of the Merger Regulation joint control of Scandlines.

The concentration is accomplished by way of purchase of shares.

| 2. | The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:
  —   for 3i: international investor and investment management business focused on midmarket private equity and infrastructure investments,
  —   for FSI: asset management division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia,
  —   for Hermes: UK investment manager specialising in developing bespoke and diversified private equity and infrastructure portfolios on behalf of its clients,
  —   for Scandlines: provision of ferry services for passengers and freight on two short-distance routes between Germany and Denmark. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

—   for 3i: international investor and investment management business focused on midmarket private equity and infrastructure investments,

for 3i

—   for FSI: asset management division of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia,

for FSI

—   for Hermes: UK investment manager specialising in developing bespoke and diversified private equity and infrastructure portfolios on behalf of its clients,

for Hermes

—   for Scandlines: provision of ferry services for passengers and freight on two short-distance routes between Germany and Denmark.

for Scandlines

| 3. | On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.
  Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice. |
| --- | --- |

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved.

Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under the Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

2

| 4. | The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.
  Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:
  M.8895 — 3i/FSI/Hermes/Scandlines
  Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:





  Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu |
| --- | --- |
| Fax +32 22964301 |
| Postal address: |
| European Commission |
| Directorate-General for Competition |
| Merger Registry |
| 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel |
| BELGIQUE/BELGIË |

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. The following reference should always be specified:

M.8895 — 3i/FSI/Hermes/Scandlines

Observations can be sent to the Commission by email, by fax, or by post. Please use the contact details below:

Email: COMP-MERGER-REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu

Fax +32 22964301

Postal address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition

Merger Registry

1049 Bruxelles/Brussel

BELGIQUE/BELGIË

---

(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1 (the ‘Merger Regulation’).

1

(2)  OJ C 366, 14.12.2013, p. 5.

2

---