MaritimeFedWatch

In the latest development arising out of the Federal investigations into alleged anticompetitive activities among roll on, roll off carriers, original equipment manufacturer and automobile shipper Fiat Chrysler has filed a complaint with the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission alleging that the carriers “conspired and acted in concert to suppress competition for roll on, roll off cargo shipping services” purchased by plaintiffs.

On January 18, 2017, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit issued an opinion upholding the District Court’s dismissal of various shippers’ federal antitrust and state law claims against a large group of roll-on/roll-off ocean common carriers, holding that the Shipping Act of 1984 both precluded private plaintiffs from using the federal anti-trust laws for relief from such claims, and pre-empted similar state law claims under the circumstances.