Five Eyes Widens Focus Onto Supply Chain
Collusion & Cartel Conduct

Global demand for containerised shipping capacity is at an all-time high, primarily generated by the pandemic driven surge of import cargo, restricted shipping capacity and poor operational performance in many key international ports. 

Amid soaring consumer prices and unprecedented supply chain disruption, competition authorities from the US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand have formed a working group to “put firms on notice” over suspected prejudicial practices, anti-competitive behaviour, collusion, and “using Covid as an opportunity for cartel conduct”. 

In an Australian context, exporters are fighting over available equipment and capacity to reach key markets. 

Importers are failing to get regular supply amid a laundry list of complaints hurled at shipping lines by shippers and forwarders over an escalation of various surcharges, detention and demurrage costs, record high freight rates, schedule disruptions and an all-time low in schedule reliability.

Read FTA’s Media Release here.