Dutch maritime and offshore contractor Boskalis has been given approval to acquire its compatriot VolkerWessels’ offshore business by the EU authorities.

The approval was granted on Friday by the European Commission under the EU Merger Regulation.

VolkerWessels’ offshore branch comprises three businesses, namely Stemat Holding B.V., Volker Stevin International Holding B.V., and VBMS Holding B.V.

These provide global maritime services including renting and leasing of commodity vessels, installation, maintenance and replacement services of subsea power cables and offshore construction services.

Boskalis is a global maritime services company, active in dredging, offshore installation, offshore transport, towage, and salvage as well as inland infrastructure.

“The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, because it would not significantly change the market structure. The operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure,” The European Commission said.