Memo: Antitrust: Commission confirms unannounced inspections in the container liner shipping sector

The European Commission can confirm that on the 17 May 2011 Commission officials undertook unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the container liner shipping in several Member States. The Commission has reason to believe that the companies concerned may have violated the antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices and/or abuse of a dominant market position (Articles 101 and 102 respectively of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union).