The antitrust investigation will focus on liner companies thatpublicly signal freight rate changes via their websites which regulators say could beused to distort competition.
“Since 2009, these companies have been making regular publicannouncements of price increase intentions through press releases on theirwebsites and in the specialized trade press,” the EU said in a statement today.
“These announcements are made several times a year andcontain the amount of increase and the date of implementation, which isgenerally similar for all announcing companies.
“The Commission has concerns that this practice may allowthe companies to signal future price intentions to each other and may harmcompetition and customers by raising prices on the market for container linershipping transport services on routes to and from Europe.”
Fourteen companies involved
Regulators did not name any of the companies involved in thelatest investigation which reports say will focus on 14 of the biggest names in the liner business.
However both AP Moller-Maersk and CMA CGM have issued statements today confirmingthey would be under the microscope.
“Maersk Line has taken note of the European Commission'sdecision to open a formal investigation,” it said.
“No formal letter from the Commission on the matter has beenreceived yet but we have been informed that we will be part of theinvestigations.
“AP Moller-Maersk has no reason to believe that MaerskLine has behaved in a manner not in accordance with EU competition law,” itadded.
“The Company has cooperated with the EuropeanCommission and will, of course, continue to do so, to the extent required,during the investigation.”
CMA CGM said it will cooperate fully with the investigation but added: “CMA CGM is strongly of the view that itspractices regarding price announcements are fully compliant with the EU law.”
