Allen & Overy LLP advised the Hamburg-based Eckelmann Group, one of the leading groups for industrial and maritime environmental protection and supply and disposal logistics, on the sale of three subsidiaries to H.E.C. Europe Limited.

The companies sold are HÖG Hamburger Ölverwertungs-Gesellschaft, Carl Robert Eckelmann Cleaning und Service GmbH and Eckelmann Umweltschutz GmbH. The parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

In connection with the acquisition of the three companies, H.E.C. Europe Limited also takes over the most important maritime and industrial liquid waste treatment plant in the Port of Hamburg and a MARPOL treatment plant.
Furthermore, one of the acquired companies is also the exclusive contractor of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg for oil spill and pollution fighting in the Port of Hamburg.

H.E.C. Europe Limited, Athens, is the parent entity of the Greek Hellenic Environmental Center Group, which is majority-owned by the Melisanidis Family. The acquisition is part of the H.E.C. Group's plan to develop and operate an international network of environmental protection service centres for liquid waste.

The Allen & Overy team was led by partner Dr. Helge Schäfer together with counsel Dr. Rüdiger Klüber and senior associate Dr. Fabian Christoph (all corporate/M&A, Hamburg). They were supported by partner Dr. Heike Weber and associate Gunnar Harlacher (both tax, Frankfurt), partner Markulf Behrendt (employment and benefits), counsel Dr. Christian Hilmes (corporate/real estate), senior associate Daniel Martin Schulz (corporate/M&A, all Hamburg) and associate Stefanie Günther (public law Frankfurt).