BRUSSELS, March 28 (Reuters) - A group of shipping companies that transport cars between the Far East and Europe agreed to immediately end a price-fixing agreement after discussions with the European Commission, the Commission announced on Friday.
In addition, the Commission said Swedish/Norwegian maritime automobile carrier Wallenius Wilhelmsen has withdrawn from the same group, the Far Eastern Freight Conference (FEFC).
"This is an important step towards ensuring that liner conferences comply with EU legislation with regard to tariffs," the Commission said in a statement.
The Commission said that the four biggest auto carriers, NYK Line, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines , K-Line and Wallenius had jointly fixed prices.
Although the Commission grants a special exemption for the carriers, it took the view that it did not extend to cars.