The Commerce Commission has cleared BOC Limited to acquire Shell New Zealand Limited's LPG business and Shell New Zealand Holding Company Limited's shareholding in Liquigas Limited; collectively referred to as Shell's LPG Portfolio.

Commission Chair Paula Rebstock said that the Commission was satisfied that the proposed acquisition would not have, or would not be likely to have, the effect of substantially lessening competition in any of the relevant markets.

BOC is a wholly owned subsidiary of BOC New Zealand Holdings Limited. BOC's LPG activities in New Zealand involve supplying delivered LPG cylinders and the retailing of LPG through its business division, Gas 'n' Gear, which operates a cylinder fill service.

Shell is part of the Royal Dutch/Shell group of companies. It is ultimately owned by Royal Dutch Shell plc. Shell's LPG activities in New Zealand are in the production and supply, distribution and retailing of LPG. The acquisition does not include Shell's LPG production and supply business or the service station arm of Shell's current LPG activities.

A public version of the written decision will be available as soon as practicable on the Commission's website www.comcom.govt.nz under the Clearances Register.