The Competition Council of Latvia has approved the acquisition of decisive influence by AS Stena Line Ports Ventspils over Liepāja Special Economic Zone company “TERRABALT”. The decision, adopted on 8 December 2025, concludes that the transaction is compatible with Latvian competition rules and does not pose a risk to effective competition in the relevant markets.
AS Stena Line Ports Ventspils operates in Latvia as part of the Stena Line group, with activities centred on cargo and passenger transportation and a broad range of related logistics services. In the port of Ventspils, the company owns and operates a multifunctional cargo handling centre that processes general cargo, bulk cargo and roll-on/roll-off traffic, including trailer, container, refrigerated and oversized cargo. Through its Latvian subsidiary, SIA Stena Line, the group also provides auxiliary maritime transport services linked to short sea passenger and freight routes from Ventspils and Liepāja, while also being active in road freight transport and logistics organisation.
Liepāja SEZ “TERRABALT” is one of the oldest ship agency companies operating in the port of Liepāja and maintains long-standing cooperation with European operators involved in passenger transport and the movement of general, bulk and Ro-Ro cargo between Liepāja and other European ports. The company operates a multifunctional cargo handling facility and a dedicated Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax terminal.
After reviewing the information provided and conducting a competitive assessment, the Competition Council concluded that the transaction will not significantly alter market structure, reduce competition, or create or strengthen a dominant position in any Latvian market in which the parties operate. On that basis, the merger was found to be permissible under the Competition Law.