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South Africa Targets Major Shipping Firms in Price-Fixing Case

By  |  December 2, 2025

South Africa’s competition watchdog has escalated its fight against alleged collusion in the maritime transport sector, referring a price-fixing case involving local divisions of several global shipping giants — including A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S and CMA CGM SA — to the country’s Competition Tribunal for prosecution, according to Bloomberg.

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    The referral follows a lengthy investigation into claims that these companies coordinated on general rate increases applied to cargo shipments linking South Africa with Asia and with the western regions of Africa. The alleged conduct spanned a decade from 2008 to 2018 and would represent a violation of the nation’s antitrust laws if proven, per Bloomberg.

    Competition Commissioner Doris Tshepe said the watchdog’s findings showed that multiple firms implemented identical rate hikes for key routes connecting ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo and Shekou with Durban, as well as for shipments from Durban to Hong Kong and from Qingdao to Durban. “The dismantling of the cartel will reduce the price of goods imported to South Africa for the benefit of consumers and will also reduce the costs of exports out of South Africa, which will, in turn, render the South African exports competitive in the world markets,” Tshepe said.

    Alongside Maersk and CMA CGM, the referral includes South African units of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co., Pacific International Lines Pty Ltd., Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd., Cosco Shipping Holdings Co., Evergreen Marine Corp. and K Line Shipping. The tribunal will now determine whether the firms violated the country’s competition legislation and decide on potential penalties.

    According to Bloomberg, the case underscores the watchdog’s broader bid to clamp down on anti-competitive practices that may be driving up the cost of trade for the country’s consumers and exporters.

    Source: Bloomberg