Colombia: Port cartel uncovered

Colombian competition authorities have uncovered a wide-ranging price-fixing scheme in the country’s ports, pressing charges against 8 companies and 2 labor unions working Colombia’s various sea ports. The companies have been accused of coordinating to raise, by up to 20%, the costs involved in manoeuvres performed by Practical Pilots.

“The companies involved in this investigation offer a public service of Practical piloting in National waters, specifically located in the ports of Buenaventura, Santa Marta, Barranquilla and Turbo” said competition authority SIC in a statement released after the charges.

Should the investigation uncover violations of Colombia’s competition laws, the SIC has calculated fines of up to 23 million dollars to be applied to each violation. Among the defendants are major Colombian trade unions, such as the National Association of Practical Pilots; the Colombian Association of Practicage Companies, as well as the companies Pilotos Prácticos del Pacífico SAS, Pilotos del Puerto de Barranquilla SA and Pilotos Marcaribe SAS.

Full Content: Pulzo

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