Fish processor Samherji Holding has been allowed to scrap its proposed $217m takeover of Icelandic container line Eimskip.

The company boosted its stake in the liner and reefer operator to 30.1% earlier last month, triggering a mandatory offer to other shareholders within four weeks.

But Samherji quickly submitted a notice to the Central Bank of Iceland's Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA), requesting an exemption from this requirement due to the turmoil caused by the pandemic.