German antitrust agency fines tug operators

Stephan Bock

Three tug companies are facing fines of more than $15m by the German antitrust regulator for collusion. The towing companies divided orders and turnover earned from several German harbours between 2002 and 2013, when Dutch companies also started operating on the Elbe and Weser rivers. The Dutch also participated in the collusion, and are under scrutiny, reports Maritime Executive, although the fines are so far directed at Hamburg-based businesses. The Dutch competition agency is also investigating cartel activity in the ...