EC initiates proceeding against Expeditors

EC initiates proceeding against Expeditors    Expeditors International of Washington Inc. said Wednesday that it and a Hong Kong subsidiary received a Statement of Objections from the European Commission that initiates a proceeding against Expeditors alleging possible anticompetitive behavior contrary to European Union rules on competition.
   Expeditors said the allegations specific to it are limited to August 2005 to June 2006 and only concern air freight trade lanes between South China/Hong Kong and the European Economic Area.
   Expeditors said it “intends to vigorously defend itself against the allegations. Should Expeditors be found to have committed an infringement against European Union anticompetition laws, it may result in material fines and penalties.”
   The EC confirmed Tuesday it had sent the Statement of Objections to forwarders after forwarding firms Panalpina and Keuhne + Nagel said they had received similar documents.