Photo by: Leandi Kolver
The Competition Commission has reached a settlement agreement with Japanese shipping liner Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) for contravening the Competition Act in the transportation of motor vehicles to and from South Africa by sea.
This settlement followed the commission’s investigation of alleged collusive conduct against various shipping liners, including Mitsui Lines, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Compania Sud Americana de Vapores, Hoegh Autoliners Holdings AS, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, Eukor Car Carriers and NYK.
The investigation followed allegations that the companies had fixed prices, divided markets and tendered collusively in respect of the provision of deep-sea transportation services for the motor vehicles, equipment and machinery sectors.
The commission determined that NYK had colluded on 14 tenders with its competitors for the transportation of motor vehicles manufactured by several automotive manufacturers, including BMW, Toyota Motor Corporation, Nissan and Honda, besides others.
NYK admitted to the collusive conduct and agreed to pay an administrative penalty of R104-million.
The commission filed the settlement agreement with the Competition Tribunal for confirmation as an order of the tribunal.
The commission’s investigations into the conduct of the rest of the respondents was ongoing.