Disclaimer :

The Competition DG makes the information provided by the notifying parties in section 1.2 of Form CO available to the public in order to increase transparency. This information has been prepared by the notifying parties under their sole responsibility, and its content in no way prejudges the view the Commission may take of the planned operation. Nor can the Commission be held responsible for any incorrect or misleading information contained therein.

M.9566 - CK Asset/CK Hutchison/Alberta/Northumbrian Water/Northumbrian Services/West Gas/Western Gas/UK Rails/Dutch Enviro

SECTION 1.2

Description of the concentration

1.On 26 September 2019, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 138/2004 (the Merger Regulation), by which CIC Asset Holding Limited (CKA) and CK Hutchison Holdings Limited (CKHH) will indirectly acquire joint control over 1822604 Alberta Ltd., Northumbrian Water Group Limited, Northumbrian Services Limited, West Gas Networks Limited, Western Gas Networks Limited, UK Rails S.a r.l., and Dutch Enviro Energy Holdings B.V. (the Relevant Companies) within the meaning of article 3(l)(b) of the Merger Regulation.

2.CKA is a leading multinational corporation and has diverse capabilities with activities encompassing property development and investment, hotel and serviced suite operation, property and project management, investment in infrastructure and utility asset operation and aircraft leasing. CKA is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, registered in Hong Kong, and listed on the main board of the SEHK.

3.CKHH is a multinational conglomerate with its registered seat in the Cayman Islands, and headquartered in Hong Kong. CKHH is listed on the main board of the SEHK. CKHH operates five core businesses: ports and related services, retail, infrastructure, energy and telecommunications. CKHH currently solely controls and majority owns the Relevant Companies.

The Relevant Companies are active in the following businesses:

(a) 1822604 Alberta Ltd.: off-airport car parking in Canada.

(b) Northumbrian Water Group Limited and Northumbrian Services Limited: water supply, sewerage and waste water in England and Wales.

(c) West Gas Networks Limited and Western Gas Networks Limited: gas distribution network in Wales and the South West of England.

(d) UK Rails S.a r.l.: the owner of Eversholt Rail Group, a rolling stock owning company in the United Kingdom.

(e) Dutch Enviro Energy Holdings B.V: supply of energy from waste in the Netherlands.

5.The transaction does not give rise to any horizontally or vertically affected markets and accordingly qualifies for simplified treatment in accordance with the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004.