WWL fined $7.5m for price fixing in South Africa

The Norwegian ocean carrier reached an agreement with the Competition Commission of South Africa after admitting to price fixing, market allocation and collusive tendering.    Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics AS (WWL) has reached a settlement agreement with the Competition Commission of South Africa under which it will pay a fine of 95.67 million South African rand (U.S. $7.5 million).
   The Norwegian ocean carrier admitted to violating sections 4(1)(b)(i),(ii) &(iii) of the country’s Competition Act by fixing prices and engaging in collusive conduct, according to the Competition Commission. The commission found that WWL colluded on 11 tenders with its competitors for the transportation of motor vehicles by sea.
   The settlement is part of an ongoing investigation by the commission into collusive behavior on the part of shipping liners operating in South Africa. The regulatory body in June fined Japanese ocean carrier Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) R104m.
   The commission said in June it would continue to investigate the remaining carriers named previously in the suit, including MOL and “K” Line of Japan, Chile-based CSAV, Norwegian Höegh Autoliners‚ and Eukor Car Carriers of South Korea.