Hapag-Lloyd: U.S. Probe Ends with no Obligations
Germany's Hapag-Lloyd is cleared of a U.S. Department of Justice probe into the practices of container shipping companies, with no charges brought, a spokesman said on Tuesday."Hapag-Lloyd was informed that the U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division is closing its investigation without charges against the company, its affiliates or any other current or former employees," he said.This followed similar statements by bigger rivals Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Company…
Horizon Lines Issues Statement on Antitrust Investigation
Horizon Lines, Inc has confirmed federal agents served search warrants and a grand jury subpoena relating to an investigation of pricing practices of ocean carriers operating in the trade. Horizon Lines is cooperating fully with the government officials. The company has not been informed of the specific subject matter of the inquiry, being conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division. Horizon Lines does not expect the government inquiry to impact the service levels provided to its customers.
DOJ Indicts Stolt-Nielsen
In response to the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division announcement, Stolt Nielsen issued a statement: In direct violation of its express promise in a written amnesty agreement, the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division announced the indictment of Stolt-Nielsen and its two Stolt-Nielsen Transportation Group subsidiaries. The actions breach the Antitrust Division's own written Amnesty Agreement made in January 2003, which promised Stolt-Nielsen that it would not "bring any criminal prosecution" against the company or its executives related to the parcel tanker industry for conduct that occurred prior to January 15, 2003.
