Channel tunnel operator Eurotunnel could be forced to offload its ferry business after a watchdog warned its ownership may be anti-competitive.
The Competition Commission said it feared passengers and freight firms faced higher prices after Eurotunnel snapped up three boats from collapsed operator SeaFrance and started running ferry services between Dover and Calais.
The commission claimed Eurotunnel, which now runs 16 ferry crossings a day, bought the three boats to prevent Danish rival DFDS from picking them up cheaply and driving down prices.
DFDS and P&O Ferries currently compete with Eurotunnel’s MyFerryLink on the route, but with excess capacity the commission said it was likely that one would leave, and it may force Eurotunnel to sell its business to ensure two rivals remain.
