Stek advises Iskes on ACM investigation into Port Towage Amsterdam

Stek has advised Dutch towage company Iskes in relation to an investigation of the Dutch Competition Authority (ACM) into Port Towage Amsterdam (PTA). PTA was a joint venture between Iskes and Danish towage company Svitzer, that offered towage services in the seaports of Amsterdam and IJmuiden. The ACM´s investigation concerned the structure of PTA, more specifically whether PTA qualified as a full-function joint venture or as a non-full-function joint venture. In case PTA qualified as a non-full-function joint venture, it would have required assessment under the cartel prohibition. The ACM entered into discussion with Svitzer and Iskes, but did not establish a competition law infringement.