Rome, February 16, 2026 — The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has reopened its review of the proposed acquisition by Ignazio Messina & C. S.p.A. of control over Terminal San Giorgio S.r.l., following a ruling by the Council of State.
The authority had previously authorized the concentration with conditions in May 2024 under Article 6(2) of Law No. 287/1990. However, the decision was annulled in May 2025 by the Regional Administrative Court of Lazio upon appeal by Grimaldi Euromed S.p.A. The AGCM’s appeal was subsequently rejected by the Council of State on December 30, 2025.
In its ruling, the Council of State ordered the regression of the procedure to the investigative phase, requiring the authority to adopt a new decision. The AGCM may either prohibit the concentration or authorize it conditionally, provided that any renewed authorization is free from the defects identified by the court. The court also maintained the effectiveness of the original decision until the authority issues a new measure.
At its meeting on January 27, 2026, the AGCM formally decided to reopen the proceedings ex officio under Article 16(4) of Law No. 287/1990.
The parties have ten days from notification of the reopening decision to request a hearing. The procedure is being handled by Giovanni Notaro of the Transport, Energy and Environment Directorate within the Competition Department 2.
The authority must conclude the renewed proceedings within 90 days from the date of its decision to reopen the case. The measure will be notified to the parties and published in the AGCM Bulletin.
Source: https://www.agcm.it/dotcmsdoc/bollettini/2026/7-26.pdf
