Tecon Salvador, Intermarítima Terminals, Tecon Rio Grande and Rodrimar Transport, Industrial Equipment and General Stores, which operate at the ports of Salvador, Rio Grande and Santos, have been referred to Brazil’s competition authority, CADE, in respect of possible anti-competitive practices.

According to CADE, all four operators are also responsible for the loading and unloading ships, thereby wielding significant power in the handling and movement of cargo.

Behaviour being investigated includes the charging of extra fees for the collection of import containers destined for competing bonded facilities over and beyond published box rates.

In addition, between March 2006 and February 2012, Rodrimar, which operates at the Port of Santos, appears to have collected additional fees for the movement of cargo to bonded warehouses.

If found guilty, the companies may be liable to pay a penalty of between 0.1% to 20% of their revenues, as well as other penalties.