NYK Fined $8.5 Million in South Africa Price-Fixing Scheme

South Africa’s competition watchdog says it has reached a settlement with Japanese shipping firm Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha Ltd (NYK) for price fixing, market allocation and collusive tendering in the transportation of cars to and from South Africa.

Under the settlement agreement, NYK admitted to to the collusive conduct and agreed to pay an administrative penalty of 104 million Rand (US$8.56 million), South Africa’s Competition Commission said Tuesday.

The settlement follows the Commission’s investigation of collusive conduct against shipping liners Mitsui O.S.K Lines, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd (“K” Line), Compania Sud Americana de Vapores (CSAV), Hoegh Autoliners Holdings AS, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, Eukor Car Carriers, NYK. The Commission alleges that the companies fixed prices, divided markets and tendered collusively in respect of the provision of deep sea transportation services, specifically the transportation of motor vehicles, equipment and machinery by sea to and from South Africa.

The Commission said its investigation found that NYK colluded on 14 tenders with its competitors for the transportation of cars issued by several automotive manufacturers to and from South Africa, including BMW, Toyota Motor Corporation, Nissan, and Honda among others.

The settlement agreement has been submitted to the Competition Tribunal for confirmation.

The Commission says its investigation is continuing against the rest of the respondents.

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