FedEx Corporation's planned takeover of European logistics firm TNT Express N.V. is on track to close during the first half of next year after the European Commission notified both parties that it would not be issuing a Statement of Objections.

A Statement of Objections is a formal step in Commission antitrust investigations in which the EC informs the parties concerned in writing of the objections raised against them. However, according to the EC, no such objections have been lodged since its inquest began in August this year.

"The internal deadline of the European Commission for issuing a Statement of Objections would have expired on 23 October 2015, but FedEx and TNT have been informed by the European Commission that no Statement of Objections will be issued," FedEx said in a statement.

In August the EC said its concerns centred on a number of European markets where a merged FedEx/TNT would face insufficient competitive constraints from the only two remaining players (UPS and DHL). In turn, the two firms are believed to have granted concessions in order to secure anti-trust approval.

Earlier this month, TNT shareholders voted to accept FedEx's offer to acquire 100% of TNT Express N.V. shares for EUR4.4 billion (USD4.8 billion) in cash.