US Orders Carriers to Testify in Global Shipping Probe

DP World London Gateway A number of representatives from major container shipping companies have been subpoenaed by the US Department of Justice as part of an investigation into the global ocean container shipping industry, Reuters said citing shipping lines. In a statement to World Maritime News the Danish shipping major Maersk Line confirmed that the company was served a subpoena by the US DOJ on March 15, 2017, adding that the subpoena does not set out any specific allegations against Maersk Line. Other companies which received subpoenas reportedly include the Hong Kong-based Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) and the German container shipping line Hapag-Lloyd. The US Department of Justice declined to comment on the investigation, which was launched amid concerns over possible anti-competitive behavior by container shippers with the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) after the companies filed for approval to form the Ocean and THE alliances. World Maritime News contacted other companies allegedly subpoenaed, however these are yet to reply. A subpoena does not mean that a company has engaged in illegal behavior nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself. As always, Maersk will fully cooperate with the authorities in their investigations, and will respond as appropriate to the subpoena, the Danish giant said. Maersk Line added that, as the investigation is ongoing, the company has no further comments at this point. World Maritime News Staff