MOL Second to Settle Car Carrier Price-Fixing Lawsuit

Japanese transport big Mitsui O.S.Ok. Lines, often known as MOL, has settled a serious class-action antitrust lawsuit filed by particular person shoppers and auto, truck and tools dealerships in opposition to greater than a dozen worldwide firms accused of unlawfully driving up transport prices, in line with the legislation agency representing the plaintiffs.

The settlement marks the second vital settlement within the Vehicle Carrier Services Antitrust Litigation following an settlement reached final month with one other Japanese transport firm, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, often known as Ok-Line. While the monetary phrases of each settlements stay confidential, they’re anticipated to turn out to be public in paperwork in search of courtroom approval.

“This is an important day for American consumers,” says Dallas legal professional Warren T. Burns of Burns Charest LLP, who servers as interim co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs. “This is the second major settlement in a month, demonstrating the strength of our clients’ claims. This should send a strong signal to the remaining defendants that it is time to resolve this case.”

The plaintiffs within the lawsuit, which embody shoppers and auto and truck and tools dealerships, declare that Tokyo-based MOL and different carriers unlawfully conspired to rig bids, repair costs and overcharge for the transportation of automobiles to the United States.

Last month, the defendants requested U. S. District Judge Esther Salas of Newark to dismiss the lawsuit by arguing that the 1984 Shipping Act pre-empts state antitrust legal guidelines that defend oblique purchasers in opposition to price-fixing. Burns nevertheless argued on behalf of all oblique purchasers that state antitrust legal guidelines complement the Shipping Act, and that Congress didn’t intend to bar such state claims.

“We expect that the court will make a decision very soon,” says Burns. “We are confident that the court will work through the issues carefully and deny the defendants’ motions.”

Additional defendants, amongst others, embody Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) of Japan and Chilean-based Compania Sud Americana de Vapores (CSAV), each of which beforehand pled responsible to taking part within the conspiracy that’s nonetheless being investigated by the federal authorities.

The case is In Re: Vehicle Carrier Services Antitrust Litigation, No. 13-cv-3306 (MDL No. 2471).