ALRUD’s Antitrust team defended Maersk and NYK Line in one of the key international cartel investigations of the Russian regulator

ALRUD’s Antitrust team represented Maersk Line and NYK Line, the global leaders in the container shipping industry, in a cartel investigation, initiated by FAS Russia (the Federal Antimonopoly Service), in the international sea container shipping market.

This was the second international cartel investigation held by the Russian regulator. All major international players, within this market, were involved into the proceedings. The investigation was the most global and longest-ever to have taken place in Russia. ALRUD was the only law firm representing two clients in this case. As a result of the developed strategy, the proceedings against NYK Line were successfully terminated.

Although FAS Russia had recognized Maersk Line, and four other defendants, liable for violation of the antimonopoly law, the developed strategy, of challenging the decision in the court, secured an unprecedented and successful result for our Client. ALRUD’s Antitrust team led the negotiations with FAS Russia, on behalf of Maersk Line and other defendants, which resulted in the first ever settlement agreement between FAS Russia and an international company, in a cartel case. The full structure of settlement (never applicable in antitrust cases before) was prepared by ALRUD.

Unprecedented
settlement
between FAS Russia and international
company in the cartel case.

The developed and approbated strategy also helped Maersk Line in coordinating the same approach to the market, among antitrust agencies of other BRICS countries.The developed and approbated strategy

The developed and approbated strategy also helped Maersk Line in coordinating the same approach to the market, among antitrust agencies of other BRICS countries.

ALRUD’s Antitrust team led by Vassily Rudomino, Senior Partner, included German Zakharov, Partner, Ruslana Karimova, Senior Associate, and Alla Azmukhanova, Associate.

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