Maersk, CMA CGM And UAFL Involved In Illegal Pricing! Under Investigation by Regulators

Three container shipping companies, Maersk, CMA CGM and United Africa Feeder Line (UAFL: United Africa Feeder Line), are currently under investigation by the COMESA Competition Commission over potential pricing irregularities.

The Commission announced that it had opened an investigation into possible breaches of the 21-member African Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) by three box carriers operating in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) under Article 22 of the COMESA Competition Regulations. Articles 16 and 19 of the Regulations.

In particular, the Commission observed that Denmark's Maersk, France's CMA CGM and the German-controlled UAFL issued price announcements that may violate Article 16 of the Regulations.

According to a statement, the committee was initially concerned that the price announcement was a coordinated or concerted practice. "Part 3 of the Regulations, in particular Article 16, prohibits all agreements that may affect trade between member states and have the purpose or effect of preventing, restricting or distorting competition in the Common Market," COMESA's Competition Commission said in its announcement.

In addition, Article 19 prohibits agreements or arrangements between competitors to allocate customers and markets within the common market. Therefore, the committee will assess the compatibility of the price announcement with the regulations. ” the committee concluded.