Norwegian shipping firm Hoegh Autoliners denied allegations made by the South African Competition Commission that Hoegh and Japanese rival Mitsui O.S.K Lines (MOL) had colluded to fix transport tariffs to and from South Africa.
Hoegh Autoliners specialises in transporting cars, controlling 50 specialised vessels or 6-7% of the global fleet in this market.
The Competition Commission said on Tuesday, September 12, Hoegh Autoliners had been referred for prosecution on seven charges relating to collusive tendering, price fixing and market division.
Hoegh Autoliners “stands accused of colluding with a Japanese car shipping company, Mitsui O.S.K Lines,” the Commission said in a statement.
“From around 2009, MOL and Hoegh engaged in prohibited practices in that they agreed and/or engaged in concerted practices as competitors to fix prices, divide markets and tender collusively.”
Hoegh Autoliners said it denied the allegations.
“We are not admitting any guilt and we will defend ourselves,” Hoegh’s General Counsel, Steinar Nyrud told Reuters, adding that a probe had been continuing since 2013 and that he was surprised by Tuesday’s statement.
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