Norwegian car carrier Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics AS (WWL) and its corporate affiliate, Eukor Car Carriers settled with the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) for $1.5 million.
The agreement resolves allegations that WWL and Eukor violated provisions in the Shipping Act by collaborating with other ocean common carriers over the transport of automobiles and other motorized vehicles using specialized car carrier vessels or RO/RO without subjecting these agreements to the Commission’s approval.
According to FMC staff, the practice persisted over a protracted period of time and involved several US trade lanes.
The compromise also provides resolution to allegations that the carriers failed to file space charter agreements or provided transportation under unofficial service contracts.
WWL and Eukor have pledged to cooperate with other investigations and enforcement actions by the FMC concerning these alleged activities. However, they did not admit to violations of the Shipping Act, FMC said.
