Aussie regulators accuse terminal operators of price fixing

Aussie regulators accuse terminal operators of price fixing Aussie regulators accuse terminal operators of price fixing
   Antitrust authorities in Australia filed charges against a number of marine terminal operators and executives for colluding on truck operations to suppress competition.
   The cases date back to 2001 and involve the former Patrick Corp. and P&O Ports Ltd.
   The Patrick Corp. is now part of transportation and logistics conglomerate Toll Holdings after a 2006 acquisition of the ports and airport operator. Toll/Patrick is Australia’s largest terminal operator and stevedore, and provides freight forwarding, customs brokerage and other services for importers and exporters.
   P&O Ports Australia was acquired by Dubai Ports World, the Dubai-based terminal operator, last year as part of the $6.8 billion takeover of London-based P&O’s worldwide operations.
   The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission alleges that P&O and Patrick agreed to share truck compounds around the country and jointly acquire other facilities in order to reduce drayage competition in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. The companies created Australian Amalgamated Terminals to pursue their strategy. A subsequent agreement further expanded cooperation between the two terminal operators.
   Australian Amalgamated Terminals is also under indictment.
   The regulatory body said the companies tried to fix the prices of stevedoring services from shared facilities. It said it is seeking to end the agreements and issue penalties.
   Also charged in the scheme are top executives of both companies::
   ' Chris Corrigan, former chief executive officer of Patrick.
   ' Don Smithwick, former director of Patrick automotive and general stevedoring division.
   ' Andrew Burgess, former regional director of P&O Australia & New Zealand.
   ' Tim Blood, former managing director of P&O Ports and P&O Australia.
   A federal court hearing has been set for Sept. 20.