The firms have pleaded guilty to coordinating fuel surcharges and security fees on U.S.-bound cargo from September 2002 to November 2007.
The U.S. government levied the biggest fine, $21.11 million, at Nippon Express, and Kintetsu World Express has agreed to pay $10.46 million for its role in the conspiracy. Nishi-Nippon Railroad was charged $4.67 million; Hankyu Hanshin Express was charged $4.52 million; Vantec will pay $3.33 million; and Nissin will pay $2.64 million.
The first six freight forwarders pleaded guilty on Sept. 30, 2010, and were fined a total of $50.27 million. Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Panalpina World Transport and Schenker AG were among those charged.
Price-fixing plea deals have been more prevalent among air carriers. In May, the U.S. government fined EVA Airways $13.2 million for its role in the price-fixing scandal. At that point, more than $1.8 billion had been collected, and 22 airlines and 21 airline executives had been charged. Allegations by the U.S. have led to similar charges in New Zealand, Europe and Asia.
The firms have pleaded guilty to coordinating fuel surcharges and security fees on U.S.-bound cargo from September 2002 to November 2007.
The U.S. government levied the biggest fine, $21.11 million, at Nippon Express, and Kintetsu World Express has agreed to pay $10.46 million for its role in the conspiracy. Nishi-Nippon Railroad was charged $4.67 million; Hankyu Hanshin Express was charged $4.52 million; Vantec will pay $3.33 million; and Nissin will pay $2.64 million.
The first six freight forwarders pleaded guilty on Sept. 30, 2010, and were fined a total of $50.27 million. Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Panalpina World Transport and Schenker AG were among those charged.
Price-fixing plea deals have been more prevalent among air carriers. In May, the U.S. government fined EVA Airways $13.2 million for its role in the price-fixing scandal. At that point, more than $1.8 billion had been collected, and 22 airlines and 21 airline executives had been charged. Allegations by the U.S. have led to similar charges in New Zealand, Europe and Asia.