Dutch Competition Watchdog Ends Bunker Cartel Probe

Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has terminated its investigation into a suspected cartel linking bunker companies active in the ports of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp.

The competition watchdog said that even though it was determined that there was a collusion on pricing agreements during the 2011-2014 period it did not lead to a formation of a cartel.

The investigation was launched based on the information provided by police and judicial authorities, ACM said, and has seen several companies being raided as part of the probe.

ACM added that it has entered into a dialogue with Dutch association of energy organizations (NOVE) on the matter and that the trade association has managed to improve compliance with the competition regulations in the sector.

As informed, NOVE described the investigation as “the wake-up call for the bunker industry”.

World Maritime News Staff