Australia's competition watchdog has lodged criminal charges against Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K-Line) over allegations that it was involved in a vehicle shipping cartel.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the charges filed in the Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney focus on the Japanese liner giant's actions in shipping cars, trucks and buses to Australia.

The alleged "cartel conduct" took place between July 2009 and September 2012.

Global