Pretoria, December 2, 2025 — The South African authority has referred eight global cargo shipping companies to the Competition Tribunal for allegedly coordinating General Rate Increase (GRI) charges on routes linking South Africa with Asia and West Africa, conduct that amounted to unlawful price fixing, the authority said.
Alleged cartel conduct
The complaint targets Maersk South Africa, Mediterranean Shipping Company, CMA-CGM Shipping Agencies, Pacific International Lines, MOL, Evergreen, COSCO and K Line, all active in containerised cargo transport. According to the authority, the companies aligned GRI rates on multiple corridors, including Shanghai, Ningbo and Shekou to Durban; Durban to Hong Kong; and Qingdao to Durban.
Investigators found the conduct began in 2008 and continued until 2018.
The authority alleges the coordinated rate increases contravened section 4(1)(b)(i) of the Competition Act by fixing prices for outbound and inbound general cargo shipments.
Commissioner Doris Tshepe said dismantling the alleged cartel would lower the cost of imported goods for South African consumers and reduce export costs, improving the competitiveness of local products in global markets.
