A PROPOSED takeover of one of Barcelona’s container terminals by Mediterranean Shipping Company subsidiary Terminal Investment Limited and Blackrock has been put on hold after the two withdrew their application to the European Commission.

Brussels had opened an investigation into the deal for the two companies to acquire Hutchison Ports’ Barcelona Europe South Terminal, which was filed with the commission in November 2025.

The commission said it had preliminary concerns the deal may lead to higher prices or a reduced quality of service at the terminal, as MSC’s shipping arm might be given preferential treatment.

“Such discriminatory treatment may notably take the form of higher prices, late access to the berth, limited availability of cranes and storage space for MSC’s competitors,” the commission said when it announced its investigation.

But the notification of a merger was withdrawn by MSC and Blackrock earlier this month, meaning there is effectively no deal to investigate as far as the commission is concerned.

It’s unclear why the notification was pulled, or the current status of the acquisition. There is no indication this has any impact on the wider TiL/Blackrock deal to take over Hutchison Ports.

MSC has been approached for comment.