Shipper sues Puerto Rican ocean carriers for price-fixing

Ocean freight rate investigation continues

By Dave Hannon -- Purchasing, 5/8/2008 11:17:00 AM

An investigation looking into whether several ocean freight carriers serving Puerto Rico colluded to fix prices took a turn this week when a bus firm filed a lawsuit naming four carriers that allegedly fixed prices.

The Associated Press reports that a law firm representing La Esperanza Bus Line, which ships buses to Puerto Rico from the U.S. mainland, filed a lawsuit alleging Horizon Lines, Sea Star Line, Crowley Maritime Corp. and Trailer Bridge all conspired to fix ocean freight rates in the Puerto Rican market.

Matson Navigation’s parent company, Alexander & Baldwin, also confirmed in April that Matson was also being subpoenaed for “documents related to domestic ocean carriage” although it pointed out that Matson does not operate vessels in the market.

The lawsuit comes as U.S. investigators are already looking into such claims. As reported last month on Purchasing.com, Horizon Lines confirmed that federal investigators served the carrier with warrants and a subpoena as part of an investigation into ocean freight pricing practices in the Puerto Rico market.