EC unconditionally clears €14.1 billion acquisition of DB Schenker by DSV

On 8 April 2025, the European Commission unconditionally cleared the EUR 14.1 billion acquisition of DB Schenker by DSV. DSV and DB Schenker are two of the world’s largest freight forwarders, whose activities overlap in the provision of air, sea and land freight forwarding services as well as contract logistics services.

During its Phase I investigation, the European Commission investigated horizontal overlaps between the parties in various sub-segments. For air and sea freight forwarding, in addition to national markets, also the parties’ market position on trade lanes was considered.

RBB’s team, led by Benoît DurandBenoît DurandPartner and Annabelle JochemAnnabelle JochemPartner, and supported by Francesca AmoreFrancesca AmoreAssociate Principal, Jack TomlinsonJack TomlinsonSenior Associate and Jan Christopher RönnJan Christopher RönnSenior Associate, worked alongside Freshfields and Hengeler Mueller during the pre-notification phase and phase I investigation conducted by the European Commission, as well as during more than 20 notifications to national competition authorities across the globe.