The European Commission was expected Wednesday to formally charge that 11 countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy, missed the European Union’s deadline to open rail freight services to competition. The move follows an earlier unofficial warning.
Read MoreTPG, the Dutch mail and logistics group, has complained to the European Commission that the French government is distorting competition in the postal sector by favouring La Poste, the state-owned French company. TPG alleges that Paris has discriminated against new entrants in the French express delivery market by harassing them for their use of subcontractors while taking no similar action against La Poste. Under European Union rules, the Commission is duty-bound to look into such complaints. If it found that the French government had broken single-market rules or granted illegal state aid, it could order Paris to change its behaviour.
Read MoreMore than 8,000 rural post offices appeared to have a brighter future yesterday when the European Commission approved a pounds 450m package of government subsidies to help keep the branches open. The Department of Trade and Industry announced its intention to hand over the cash over three years in December, but said the money would have to be given the go-ahead by Europe’s regulators for state aid. The subsidy had to be referred because it could give Post Office Limited an unfair advantage over other companies battling to break into the postal delivery market. The Commission ruled that the grant should be allowed because the Post Office is obliged by the Government to provide country-wide over-the- counter access to state benefits and other services.
Read MoreThe European Commission has approved the acquisition of sole control over RM Business Systems Limited the IT division of UK postal operator Royal Mail Group plc – by the US-based IT services provider Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC). The Commission has concluded that no competition concerns arise from the transaction Royal Mail has decided to outsource its IT services to CSS. Previously, its former RM Business Systems Division (RM-BSD) provided these services to Royal Mail. The approved transaction is part of the agreement entered into by CSC and Royal Mail Group, according to which the latter will outsource to CSC it’s IT services.
Read MoreThe European Commission said it invites comments on Deutsche Post World Net AG’s acquisition of full control of the distribution joint venture it shares with Securicor plc. On Mar 24, the company announced it is to buy Securicor’s stake in Securicor Omega Holdings Limited for 247 mln eur. Interested parties have 10 days in which to submit their comments to the commission which will announce the outcome of its initial inquiry on or by June 19.
Read More
Post & Parcel Magazine is our print publication, released 3 times a year. Packed with original content and thought-provoking features, Post & Parcel Magazine is a must-read for those who want the inside track on the industry.
