EU Commission imposes fines in antitrust case

The EU Commission has imposed fines against various logistics companies in antitrust proceedings pending since several years, amounting to € 53.7 million in the case of Kuehne + Nagel. The logistics companies were accused to have coordinated their activities in respect to  establishing certain surcharges for airfreight forwarding services during a period prior to 2007. In proceedings in the United States relating to the same activities Kuehne + Nagel entered into a plea agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and agreed to a fine of $ 9.8 million.

"We will carefully consider the decision of the EU Commission and its rationale," said Karl Gernandt, Chairman of Kuehne + Nagel International AG. "However, already now we are of the opinion that the Commission has not correctly investigated the facts and the participation of Kuehne + Nagel and has drawn significantly incorrect factual and legal conclusions. In addition, Kuehne + Nagel’s comprehensive cooperation  throughout the investigation was not adequately acknowledged. That is why we take into consideration to appeal against the decision before the European courts."