US: Fiat Chrysler sues shipping cartel firms for reparations

According to Reuters on October 17, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles lodged a complaint with the US regulator seeking “reparations” from a group of shipping companies from Asia, Europe and South America that admitted to fixing prices for shipping vehicles, according to documents made public on October 23.

The automaker wants the Federal Maritime Commission to order payments from Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics and its sister company EUKOR Car Carriers, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Compania Sud Americana de Vapores , Hoegh Autoliners and affiliated companies.

The automaker said it and its corporate predecessors have purchased “hundreds of millions of dollars” in delivery services and none of the firms have compensated it or other victims “of their illegal activities.”

All but one of the shippers sued by Fiat Chrysler pleaded guilty and admitted to price fixing as part of a Justice Department investigation. The remaining firm, Hoegh, agreed last month to plead guilty and pay a US$21 million criminal fine. To date, four shipping executives have also pleaded guilty in the government’s probe, which began in 2012.

Full Content: Reuters

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.