KN will fight 'air freight forwarding cartel' allegations
New Zealand authorities charge Swiss logistics operator with anti-competitive conduct
Kuehne + Nagel has told IFW it will fight anti-competitive conduct charges filed against it and other forwarders in the High Court by New Zealand’s Commerce Commission last week.
“Kuehne + Nagel International disputes the allegations made by the commission and will defend the proceedings,” a spokesperson for the Swiss logistics giant told IFW.
Others involved include Panalpina, DB Schenker and companies that were part of the Bax group before its purchase by Deutsche Bahn.
Panalpina told IFW it was co-operating with the authorities and “currently in the process of settlement negotiations”.
A DB Schenker spokesman said: “Free and unhampered competition is a top priority for DB Schenker. As this is an open case, we will not comment on any details. We will support the authorities to clarify the matter.”
As reported in IFW, in 2007 the NZCC started investigating alleged collusion by a number of multi-national air freight forwarding companies with services to New Zealand, following a confidential application for leniency by one of the firms involved.
The commission said: “The anti-competitive conduct relates to alleged agreements about the implementation and application of certain surcharges and fees on air freight forwarding services both to and from New Zealand.
“Some of the alleged agreements appeared to have been in place since 2001. Cartel investigations into this conduct are also continuing in Europe and the US.”
The K+N spokesperson said: “There are no allegations that any anti-competitive contract, arrangement or understanding was ever formed in New Zealand or by Kuehne + Nagel.”
Prior to filing the proceedings, the New Zealand commission reached agreement to resolve proceedings with the domestic subsidiaries of EGL – part of CEVA Logistics – and Geologistics International (Bermuda).
CEVA’s agreement must still be approved by the High Court. The proposed settlement includes a statement of claim against EGL with respect to a single ancillary fee, an agreed statement of facts and an agreed financial penalty.
“Additionally, the company will continue to co-operate with the NZCC, as it continues its investigation into other companies,” said CEVA.
“Kuehne + Nagel International disputes the allegations made by the commission and will defend the proceedings,” a spokesperson for the Swiss logistics giant told IFW.
Others involved include Panalpina, DB Schenker and companies that were part of the Bax group before its purchase by Deutsche Bahn.
Panalpina told IFW it was co-operating with the authorities and “currently in the process of settlement negotiations”.
A DB Schenker spokesman said: “Free and unhampered competition is a top priority for DB Schenker. As this is an open case, we will not comment on any details. We will support the authorities to clarify the matter.”
As reported in IFW, in 2007 the NZCC started investigating alleged collusion by a number of multi-national air freight forwarding companies with services to New Zealand, following a confidential application for leniency by one of the firms involved.
The commission said: “The anti-competitive conduct relates to alleged agreements about the implementation and application of certain surcharges and fees on air freight forwarding services both to and from New Zealand.
“Some of the alleged agreements appeared to have been in place since 2001. Cartel investigations into this conduct are also continuing in Europe and the US.”
The K+N spokesperson said: “There are no allegations that any anti-competitive contract, arrangement or understanding was ever formed in New Zealand or by Kuehne + Nagel.”
Prior to filing the proceedings, the New Zealand commission reached agreement to resolve proceedings with the domestic subsidiaries of EGL – part of CEVA Logistics – and Geologistics International (Bermuda).
CEVA’s agreement must still be approved by the High Court. The proposed settlement includes a statement of claim against EGL with respect to a single ancillary fee, an agreed statement of facts and an agreed financial penalty.
“Additionally, the company will continue to co-operate with the NZCC, as it continues its investigation into other companies,” said CEVA.
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