Brazil: CADE sanctions shipping cartel

Brazilian competition watchdog CADE has slapped heavy fines on two companies specializing in fertiliser transport over their alleged engagement in a price-fixing scheme affecting the shipping tariffs at the Baixada Santista port terminal. The agency’s decision, published last Wednesday, affects the SINDIGRAN Transportation Union and the Commercial Association of Autonomous Transport (ACTA) with a combined fine of $320,000 USD.

Brazil’s competition authority has also banned the companies from carrying out sales or selecting operators for Baixada Santista; imposing payment charts, building new watch towers, or generally using any means to control the performance of other economic actors during the loading and unloading activities, or from using public land as temporary parking-lots for their shipping assets.

The CADE’s ruling brings an end to a case it has dragged on since 2009. The accused actors have a 30 day period to pay the indicated amount or to appeal the regulator’s ruling.

Full Content: Isto E Dinheir

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