The EU competition enforcer resumed its investigation into the deal last week after a one-month pause while awaiting data from Korean shipyards.

It warned in December that the deal to create a company with a 21% market share could push up prices.

Hyundai and Daewoo make large container ships and carriers of oil, liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas, with European shipping companies among their biggest customers.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by David Goodman)