Oslo-listed car carrier group Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean (WWO) is facing legal action over alleged price fixing in Australia.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has filed an indictment in federal court, the company said on Friday.
The probe began in 2015 into alleged anti-competitive practices in the sector between 2009 and 2012.
WWO has been cooperating fully with the ACCC, it said.
The charges against the company relate to "alleged cartel conduct" concerning the international shipping of certain vehicles to Australia between June 2011 and July 2012, WWO said.
"What has been announced by ACCC today is the first step in the formal legal proceedings, starting with an indictment and the company being asked to appear in court," the company added.
Regret but relief
"Whilst we regret that it has come to this, we are happy to see this matter now proceeding formally. The company is cooperating with the ACCC in this investigation and will continue to work with the normal processes of the court to bring this to a conclusion.
"This news does not trigger any change in Wallenius Wilhelmsen provisions."
ACCC said WWO had been charged with "criminal cartel conduct."
The charge was laid by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecution (CDPP) in the NSW District Registry of the Federal Court.
The matter has been set down by the court for a first mention on 29 August.
“This is the third prosecution involving an international shipping company engaging in alleged cartel conduct where criminal charges have been laid under the Competition and Consumer Act,” ACCC chair Rod Sims said.
In August, Japan's K Line was hit with a fine of AUS 34.5m ($23.4m) in the same investigation.
And in 2017, NYK was also fined AUD 25m.
