DSV gains EU green light for $15.8 billion Schenker deal

By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Danish logistics company DSV has secured EU antitrust approval for its 14.3 billion euro ($15.8 billion) acquisition of German rival Schenker, the European Commission said on Wednesday.

DSV announced the deal for the logistics arm of German state rail operator Deutsche Bahn in September last year, which will create the world's biggest logistics company.

The European Commission, which acts as the antitrust enforcer in the 27-country European Union, said the deal poses no competition issues.

"The transaction does not raise concerns given the fragmented nature of such markets, and the existence of several alternative providers to which customers could switch following the transaction," the EU executive said in a statement.

The combined group, which will compete with DHL Logistics and Swiss group Kuehne und Nagel, will only have between 6% and 7% of a highly fragmented global logistics market.

($1 = 0.9053 euros)

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Jan Harvey)