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Mexico fines NYK, MOL, 'K' Line, CSAV, Wallenius car carriers US$32m

MEXICO's antitrust agency, the Federal Economic Competition Commission, has fined seven ocean carriers US$32 million for price-fixing auto transport.

But MOL was only fined $600 because it had already left the cartel before the start of the investigation, and was granted leniency.

Fined were NYK, CSAV, "K" Line and Wallenius Wilhlmsen for nine separate business agreements between 2009 and 2015. MOL was only fined $600 because it left the cartel before investigation.

The FECC said it determined that the companies colluded by assigning transport routes to specific shippers between five Mexican ports and seven countries, reported American Shipper.

According to the commission, the firms divided the market up among themselves for auto transport, construction machinery and farm equipment.

"We are taking the FECC's announcement very seriously," a statement issued by MOL said. "We are making our best efforts to prevent any recurrence of such issues, to further enhance MOL's compliance structure, and so regain public confidence."

However, this is at least the second time in four years that MOL, subsidiary MOBUSA, NYK, "K" Line and WWL have been accused of price fixing for the ocean transport of cars.

In June 2013, the companies were the target of a class-action lawsuit, filed in US District Court in southern California, accusing them of conspiracy to fix, stabilize and maintain prices.