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Concern over Dart Line takeover
Page 28
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I HAVE NOTED with a little concern the recently announced takeover of Dart Line by Cobelfret.This hardly seems a good move as far as hauliers are concerned, as it will remove any competition from the Benelux ports into the Thames.
It is easy to see why Cobelfret (which by the way is an excellent company) will gain from it: the removal of a competitor and control of a very valuable piece of real estate in the Dartford terminal.
But it is difficult to see what it means to the haulage industry, except higher rates.
Surprisingly, very little comment has been made about it, which may perhaps account for the lack of interest on the part of the competition authorities. No doubt if passengers had been involved, rather than just freight, they would have quickly appeared on the scene.
Maurice Tate by e-mail