THE New Zealand Commerce Commission has filed civil proceedings in the nation's High Court against Mondiale Freight Services and Oceanbridge Shipping Limited for accusations of cartel activity, reports London's Air Cargo News.

The civil proceeding is against the companies and four individuals associated with the companies, alleging each company entered into and gave effect to cartel agreements.

"The Commission alleges the defendants agreed with competing freight forwarders not to compete for their customers," said a media release from the commission's website.

"These were separate cartels and the commission does not allege Oceanbridge and Mondiale entered into any agreements with each other. The competing freight forwarders also purchased freight forwarding services from the defendants." said the commission.

The commission declared it has agreed on settlements to resolve the separate proceedings with each of the defendants.

Said Mondiale Freight Services CEO Ray Meade: "We have cooperated fully with the Commerce Commission from the outset. We have always put a high value on being an ethical business and will make no further comment while this matter is before the High Court."

source Shipping Gazette