The European Commission searched the offices of several freight forwarders and at least one US freight forwarder was subpoenaed by US authorities as the transatlantic anti-competition probe widens.
A handful of freight forwarders including Switzerland-based Kuehne & Nagel International AGs and Welttransport Holding AG were raided recently as part of a joint US and European probe into pricing practices.
News reports also mention Eagle Global Logistics (EGL), UTi Worldwide and Schenker confirmed representatives of the General Directorate for Competition and of the German Federal Antitrust Authority, Bundeskartellamt, have been carrying out an investigation into Schenker AG in Essen.
Similar investigations have been conducted at its offices in South Africa, Switzerland and the US by the competent authorities of the various countries and Schenker said it will continue to assist the authorities in their investigations.
The EC said it carried out the unannounced inspections as it had “reason to believe that the companies concerned may have violated EC Treaty rules that outlaw restrictive business practices.” The investigation centres on whether the freight forwarders fixed prices for fuel and other surcharges.
The raids were said to have been sparked by information received from an unidentified source who tipped EU, US and Swiss authorities to alleged cartel behavior, according to media reports.
In the US meanwhile, international freight-forwarding and logistics company Expeditors International of Washington Inc. said it received a subpoena from the Justice Department ordering the company to produce information and records relating to an investigation of air-cargo freight forwarders. The company said it intends to work with the Justice Department.