STOLT-NIELSEN IS GRANTED CONDITIONAL AMNESTY IN U.S. ANTITRUST PROBE

STOLT-NIELSEN IS GRANTED CONDITIONAL AMNESTY IN U.S. ANTITRUST PROBE    Stolt-Nielsen Transportation Group, the London-based tanker shipping company currently under antitrust investigation on both sides of the Atlantic, has been granted conditional amnesty from prosecution and fines by the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
   Stolt-Nielsen said the conditional amnesty concerns potential violations of U.S. antitrust laws with respect to parcel tanker operations.
   The shipping company also said that it is under an additional investigation from competition authorities in the European Union in connection with “possible collusive behavior in the intra-European inland barge industry.”
   Stolt-Nielsen was already under antitrust probes from U.S. and European authorities in connection with investigations into possible collusive behavior in the parcel tanker deep-sea industry.
   The company said that it also has been granted conditional immunity from imposition of fines by the European Commission with respect to deep-sea parcel tanker and intra-European inland barge operations.
   Stolt-Nielsen said that it conducted an internal investigation, “became aware of possible collusive behavior” and notified the appropriate authorities.
   During the past week, the Stolt-Nielsen S.A. stock price on the Nasdaq stock exchange has decreased by 29 percent.
   Stolt-Nielsen will publish its fourth-quarter and 2002 annual results on Feb. 29 (Friday).