CMA CGM and Evergreen Marine, plus 12 other shipping lines, have been fined by China’s ministry of transport over lack of transparency of their freight rates. A total of CNY2.39m ($347,000) in fines were imposed. The ministry has spoken with eight named companies: Hamburg Sud; Gold Star Line; Wan Hai Lines; Wan Hai Lines (Singapore); Heung-A Shipping Co; Korea Marine Transport Co; Evergreen Marine; CMA CGM, and with six more carriers that it declined to name.
The container shippers were said to have recorded inaccurate data, or no data, on their freight rates. “The carriers that the ministry spoke to have agreed to review their
practices and adhere to the regulations going forward, as well as to take a serious view on truthfully declaring and recording freight rates,” the transport ministry stated.