Italy probes Freight forwarder Pricing Cartel
Will Waters of International Freighting Weekly ( IFW) has reported that twenty freight forwarding companies and national forwarding association Fedespedi are being investigated by Italy’s competition commission over allegations of colluding on road freight pricing.They are accused of exchanging sensitive information "and co-ordination of business strategies" from at least the end of 2002 until September 2007.
The commission alleged that illicit agreements had taken place place during "numerous and regular encounters" at Fedespedi - in particular its overland shippers section - covering road freight services to and from Italy.It claimed the aim had been to "agree the realisation of price increases for services rendered to customers", particularly over fuel surcharges, road tolls and administrative costs.
The companies standing accused are: Agility, Albinos & Pitigliani, Brigl, Cargo North, DHL, Ferrari, Francisco Parisi, Gefco, Geodis, I-Dika, Italmondo, Italsempione, ITK, ITX Cargo, Rhenus, Saima, Schenker, Sittam, Transervice and Villanova.
Fedespedi told IFW it was "intensively co-operating with the authority" in order to clarify whether any of the actions or agreements by the association or any of its members were liable to punishment.DHL confirmed that the competition authority had opened investigations into two of its offices in Milan, and said it was also co-operating fully with the investigating authorities.
DB Schenker said it was giving its full support to the authorities "in order to clarify the matter as soon as possible", adding: "Such investigations do not mean that the companies are guilty of anti-competitive behavior; nor do they prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself."
