FMC Reaches Settlement with Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Eukor

The US Federal Maritime Commission has reached an agreement with Norwegian car carrier Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics AS (WWL) and its corporate affiliate, Eukor Car Carriers, collecting a combined USD 1.5 million in civil penalties.

The compromise agreement resolved allegations that WWL and Eukor violated a section of the Shipping Act by acting in concert with other ocean common carriers with respect to the transportation of automobiles and other motorized vehicles by RO/RO or specialized car carrier vessels, where such agreements had not been filed with the Commission or become effective under the Shipping Act.

Commission staff alleged that these practices persisted over an extended period of time and involved numerous U.S. trade lanes.

In addition, the compromise resolved allegations that the carriers had failed to file certain space charter agreements or provided transportation under certain service contracts that had not been filed.

WWL and Eukor agreed to provide ongoing cooperation with other Commission investigations or enforcement actions with respect to these activities.

The carriers did not admit to violations of the Shipping Act, according to the FMC.