By Jite Eriabie
Norwegian shipping firm Hoegh Autoliners denied on Tuesday allegations made by South Africa that it and Japanese rival Mitsui O.S.K Lines had colluded to fix transport tariffs to and from South Africa.
Hoegh Autoliners specialises in transporting cars, controlling 50 specialised vessels or 6-7 percent of the global fleet in this market.
South Africa’s Competition Commission said on Tuesday 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 Ltd (MOL),” 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 however denied the allegations.
“We are not admitting any guilt and we will defend ourselves,” the company said in a statement yesterday.
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