GLA & Company has successfully obtained merger control clearance from the Kuwait Competition Protection Agency (“CPA”) on behalf of National Marine Dredging Company PJSC (“NMDC Group”), a UAE-based public joint stock company, for its strategic acquisition of a 70% stake in EMDAD LLC (the “Target”). This clearance marks a key milestone in the transaction, allowing NMDC Group to expand its regional footprint and enhance its portfolio of integrated energy services across the GCC.

The transaction involved the acquisition by NMDC Group of 70% of the issued share capital of EMDAD LLC from a consortium of individual and institutional sellers, including Al Bawardi Enterprises LLC, OSG International LLC, and others. Upon completion, the remaining 30% of the Target will be held by a newly formed special purpose vehicle—GRIT for Investment in Commercial Projects – LLC—which will be controlled by Al Bawardi Enterprises LLC.

The Target is a prominent provider of integrated services and solutions to the oil and gas, utilities, and industrial sectors, with operations spanning the full oil and gas lifecycle and a strong presence in both upstream and downstream markets. The acquisition supports NMDC Group’s strategic objective to diversify and strengthen its service offering within the broader energy value chain.

Alex Saleh, Managing Partner at GLA & Co, remarked, “We are proud to have secured the merger control clearance for this important acquisition, which highlights our firm’s ability to advise on complex, multi-party transactions involving key players in the region’s energy sector. This deal further solidifies our reputation as a go-to firm for competition and regulatory counsel in Kuwait.”

GLA & Co’s Antitrust & Competition team, led by Asad Ahmad, Head of Antitrust & Competition, alongside associate Khaled Al Makhezeem and Trainee Lawyer, Liana Rashid, advised NMDC Group throughout the merger control process. The team worked closely with the CPA, submitting a comprehensive economic analysis and engaging with stakeholders to ensure full compliance with Kuwait’s merger control framework.

For more information, please contact Alex Saleh, Managing Partner, or Asad Ahmad, Head of Antitrust & Competition.