commiss decis octob relat proceed articl ec treati iv ferri oper currenc surcharg english french dutch text authent ec commiss european commun regard treati establish european commun regard council regul eec decemb lai detail rule applic articl ec treati maritim transport amend act access austria finland sweden articl thereof regard commiss decis septemb open proceed case parti opportun make view object rais commiss accord articl regul commiss regul eec decemb commun complaint applic hear provid council regul eec treati maritim transport amend act access austria finland sweden consult advisori committe agreement domin posit maritim transport fact background decis decis aris investig made april articl regul eec offic ferri oper investig commiss discov documentari evid show number ferri oper agre common imposit currenc surcharg freight devalu pound sterl septemb oper amp european ferri stena sealink snat brittani ferri north sea ferri announc ident surcharg impos freight transport unit kingdom contin rout common introduct date common method calcul undertak undertak concern present procedur roll roll ferri ro ro oper provid freight servic number rout england continent europ amp european ferri amp oef subsidiari peninsular orient steam navig compani amp osnc amp oef roll roll freight servic short sea rout dover calai western channel rout portsmouth le havr cherbourg time infring north sea rout felixstow zeebrugg rotterdam addit time infring pool arrang belgian oper regi voor maritim transport rmt provid servic dover ostend zeebrugg amp oef inform commiss turnov relev market ukl stena line uk sealink ssl wholli own subsidiari stena line ab swedish compani consolid turnov skr billion stena sealink line oper servic dover dunkirk newhaven diepp cherbourg southampton previous provid servic short cross channel rout dover calai pool arrang societé nouvel armement transmanch snat ssl inform commiss turnov uk franc freight market ukl sea franc snat wholli own subsidiari gie transmanch own sncf french nation railwai compani snat total turnov ff bretagn angleterr irland sa bai french compani brittani ferri bf roll roll freight servic western channel rout portsmouth plymouth caen st malo roscoff addit bai uk unit kingdom subsidiari bai freight servic western channel rout pool cherbourg subsidiari trucklin ferri bai turnov ff billion north sea ferri nsf oper servic north sea rout hull ipswich teesport zeebrugg rotterdam joint ventur amp osnc koninklijk nedlloyd groep nv turnov action number ferri oper introduc currenc surcharg relev market examin commiss oper concern procedur refer stage compani concern tor line dutch base subsidiari swedish compani tor line ab subsidiari danish oper dfd oper servic north sea immingham rotterdam salli line finnish own compani oper servic ramsgat dunkirk ostend olau line recent oper sheer vlissingen rout stena line bv sister compani stena sealink oper rout harwich hook holland combin market share oper concern procedur relev market estim base figur publish cruis amp ferri info annual trade public figur publish uk depart transport figur provid amp oef market relev market market provis freight servic sea unit kingdom franc belgium netherland includ transport unit kingdom geograph market includ servic hand port east south coast england port northern franc belgium netherland identifi narrowli delin sector market broken main sector short cross channel rout western channel rout north sea rout signific competit overlap western channel short cross channel rout short cross channel rout north sea rout substitut aris fact port question good transport connect onward transport varieti end destin unit kingdom continent europ easi commonplac transport freight traffic port materi time effect mean ferri servic channel tunnel open time servic question roll roll ro ro lift lift lo lo includ inter alia driver accompani good vehicl unaccompani trailer contain oper concern decis roll roll ferri oper estim unit kingdom contin freight market approxim million freight unit north sea dover strait short cross channel western channel oper concern decis estim market share approxim north sea dover strait western channel concert practic concert practic relat simultan imposit ident currenc surcharg ferri oper roll roll freight charg paid sterl unit kingdom continent rout devalu sterl septemb ferri oper incom sterl expens currenc oblig decid respond possibl reduct real revenu increas real term cost oper unit kingdom proport incom sterl cost fuel spare part currenc oper continent europ affect signific incom sterl face prospect custom seek switch account sterl oper advantag devalu hand oper signific incom currenc cost sterl benefit devalu ferri oper face commerci decis rang option exist oper rais price account reduc revenu attempt win custom rival rais lower price fact normal commerci consider appli free market appli situat cost structur ferri oper relev market vari significantli size place oper sourc suppli number vessel employe respons devalu sterl expect uniform late septemb number intern road haulag oper announc impos currenc surcharg freight charg paid sterl influenc ferri oper respons situat oper relev market subsequ introduc currenc surcharg form parti infring introduc surcharg date novemb ident rate method calcul oper issu letter custom ident word introduct currenc surcharg object commiss commerci decis firm act independ entitl evid show ferri oper relev market contact competitor directli discuss intend respons situat arisen surcharg announc unit kingdom franc dover strait western channel rout stena sealink snat amp oef brittani trucklin ferri ident oper concern estim market share rout unit kingdom belgium rout dover strait north sea amp oef north sea ferri announc surcharg ident mat scale belgium scale surcharg adopt mat transport road haulag firm septemb hereinaft refer mat scale provid scale surcharg transport european countri includ franc belgium netherland amount surcharg appli transport countri week calcul exchang rate publish financi time preced fridai estim oper market share rout unit kingdom holland rout north sea north sea ferri announc surcharg ident mat scale netherland amp oef announc surcharg ident oper estim market share unit kingdom holland rout oper introduc surcharg novemb commiss investig april commiss offici act pursuant articl regul eec carri simultan investig warn offic undertak decis address amp european ferri stena sealink brittani ferri investig carri premis salli line trucklin ferri subsidiari brittani ferri investig request inform articl regul eec undertak name evid main evid decis base includ messag telefax oper relat introduct calcul currenc surcharg intern memoranda written employe amp oef sealink brittani ferri admiss made amp european ferri stena sealink repli commiss request inform repli commiss statement object amp oef stena sealink stena sealink inform commiss septemb meet held pari stena sealink snat inter alia effect devalu sterl discuss sealink state meet snat inform fear lose custom dual currenc account held competitor amp oef custom choic pai french franc sterl choos sterl sealink state freight director amp oef join meet prior arrang sealink effect devalu discuss sealink sna state amp oef action remov anomali creat devalu oblig reduc french franc rate amp oef freight director agre discuss matter manag director meet sealink snat amp oef place octob discuss propos ration ferri servic compet eurotunnel currenc surcharg discuss amp oef parti discuss reach number basic conclus impos currenc surcharg ensur viabl trade impos currenc surcharg restor order market amp oef state oper reach common view imposit surcharg orderli timescal protect compani interest amp oef state oper present repres larger oper expect intent adopt surcharg find favour smaller oper salli line brittani ferri stena sealink state discuss snat repeat statement made meet pari reduc french franc freight rate remain competit unit kingdom oper increas sterl rate sealink state inform snat amp oef intend introduc currenc surcharg amp oef amp oef state contact oper implic currenc surcharg octob amp oef tabl surcharg stena sealink amp oef state purpos send tabl provid sealink indic type surcharg amp oef intend adopt discuss octob surcharg tabl fact amp oef north sea ferri set slide scale surcharg base approxim exchang rate dutch belgian french german currenc time sterl devalu event amp oef state ferri oper cooper select scale surcharg ident mat scale point stena sealink number telephon convers place amp oef week commenc octob telephon convers parti discuss suitabl mat scale date parti announc imposit surcharg date implement thereof octob stena sealink copi mat transport schedul surcharg snat stena line bv octob stena sealink amp oef telefax copi letter propos issu custom dai announc surcharg freight paid sterl anglo french rout novemb scale surcharg propos draft letter ident mat scale transport franc manuscript note foot document sealink telefax telephon convers amp oef stena sealink octob amp oef point factual inaccuraci letter stena sealink amend correct mistak amp oef parti agre sealink initi introduc surcharg sealink draft letter amp oef order inform surcharg adopt date adopt stena sealink state period octob amp oef telephon salli line implement surcharg ask sealink contact sealink told salli line implement surcharg amp oef contact salli line octob copi letter issu stena sealink custom announc imposit surcharg previou dai amp oef salli line intend appli scale surcharg amp oef salli line accept surcharg justifi appli mat scale octob amp oef contact salli line told appli surcharg creat confus difficulti market place salli line issu letter custom octob text ident amp oef brittani ferri level surcharg lower correspond mat scale suffici evid salli line decis introduct surcharg amount charg result collus salli line addresse decis stena sealink state octob onward receiv number telephon call amp oef advers custom reaction announc surcharg discuss octob amp oef enquir compani collect surcharg custom pai sealink repli impress custom clear intent implement surcharg stena sealink octob telephon convers amp oef complain stena sealink snat give freight custom discount order compens increas compar french franc sterl stena sealink check posit snat inform amp oef telephon arrang ceas implement surcharg novemb subsequ novemb amp oef telephon stena sealink inform result snat action decid impos surcharg larger custom amp oef gave stena sealink telephon list custom document date novemb found premis amp oef intern document novemb amp oef document found premis stena sealink date novemb address snat state document found stena sealink state amp oef abandon surcharg favour global renegoti rate larger custom confirm document found premis amp oef surcharg continu appli custom document found premis salli line amp oef issu letter custom felixstow rotterdam zeebrugg servic novemb advis freight rate increas state avoid misunderstand currenc surcharg continu appli scale effect novemb announc letter octob similar letter issu novemb custom dover calai boulogn zeebrugg ostend servic document date novemb found amp oef state brittani trucklin ferri amp oef state contact brittani ferri inform amp oef oper intend introduc currenc surcharg basi common slide scale amp oef brittani ferri agre initi amp oef suppli trucklin ferri copi letter amp oef intend send custom announc imposit surcharg copi propos slide scale surcharg stena sealink state octob contact brittani ferri ask devalu sterl sealink inform brittani ferri implement surcharg line adopt mat transport effect novemb appli custom except intern brittani ferri note date octob state major oper sealink amp olau salli issu process issu attach client contin unit kingdom understand rigor appli except client suggest issu mondai octob attach fax draft letter ident subsequ issu amp oef octob surcharg tabl mat scale octob brittani ferri amp oef copi letter trucklin ferri custom previou dai announc imposit currenc surcharg effect novemb amp oef state order confirm verbal indic implement surcharg basi mat scale amp oef sealink commiss discov evid investig brittani ferri made attempt calcul exposur loss aris devalu sterl decid mat scale surcharg contrari clear document date decemb discov premis brittani ferri attempt made calcul surcharg directli relat compani cost structur time announc document refer request inform receiv uk offic fair trade receiv complaint ferri oper action intern brittani ferri document date octob refer amp oef sealink state author document argu brittani ferri flexibl implement surcharg commiss interpret document agreement reach amp oef sealink brittani ferri currenc surcharg introduc appli custom north sea ferri north sea ferri joint ventur amp nedlloyd board member common amp oef amp oef adopt coordin approach issu currenc surcharg introduct date implement currenc surcharg north sea ferri novemb select amp oef north sea ferri state decis impos surcharg date mid octob amp oef decis impos surcharg nsf state contact stena line bv octob inform introduc surcharg copi scale exchang inform relai amp oef dai nsf state inform stena bv intend action relat surcharg stena sealink awar amp oef intend action north sea awar north sea ferri propos action repli request inform commiss stena line bv state octob stena sealink copi mat scale dai stena bv contact north sea ferri inform introduc surcharg slide scale state discuss effect devalu point octob north sea ferri north sea ferri state tor line earli octob intent introduc currenc surcharg tor line encourag follow suit commit argument parti amp amp accept octob particip concert practic ssl snat argu surcharg implement intend abandon begin novemb effect market effect rate argu concert behaviour properli includ brittani ferri coordin joint ventur undertak nsf constitut infring articl sealink ssl accept snat particip concert practic amp infring articl argu imposit heavi fine warrant surcharg implement argu entitl consult snat matter price term pool agreement ssl appli unilater surcharg novemb effect novemb ssl argu engag concert practic brittani ferri contact consist telephon call snat snat argu respons commiss statement object simpli initi pool partner stena sealink contact ferri oper fact repres amp oef attend meet septemb except occurr invit stena sealink snat simpli declar intend measur maintain market share includ lower french franc tariff lose competit client benefit option pai franc pound sterl competitor translat meet octob held order discuss possibl super pool oper fundament conclus reach currenc surcharg snat contend meet constitut proof concert practic amp ssl snat case concert practic object restrict competit affect trade member state snat knowledg exchang tabl ssl amp ssl respons sale market uk term pool agreement snat left detail implement surcharg ssl snat deni ssl claim currenc surcharg instig meet wish snat argu common implement date scale explain oligopolist structur transpar market snat client invoic sterl pai surcharg paid receiv amount back rebat surcharg appli decemb incorpor rate rate rais gener individu negoti rate larg client fell brittani ferri brittani ferri argu oral hear market oligopolist transpar state decid react devalu sterl essenti competitor act step find agreement sealink announc plan publicli octob brittani ferri happen find amp plan telephon convers employe employe amp brittani ferri argu converg interest want find competitor competitor begun concert practic interest pass messag brittani ferri brittani ferri claim freight manag trucklin ferri mr longer compani copi amp letter advanc prepar draft letter manag director brittani ferri uk mr inform knew amp letter mr statement repli commiss request inform person draft letter explain fact difficult posit vi vi superior employe compani delic situat brittani ferri argu intern memorandum octob quot commiss statement object incorrect state olau line salli line decid introduc surcharg prove brittani ferri parti agreement olau line salli line particip brittani ferri appli surcharg psycholog reason promin road transport oper introduc surcharg ferri compani client road transport oper accept idea surcharg introduc ferri oper repli statement object amp state manag director mr contact mr inform action amp ssl snat intend state regard brittani respons bind commit inform indic independ commerci reason brittani mind follow commerci lead princip oper trucklin subsequ confirm approach implement amp obtain prior commit brittani ferri state surcharg affect haulier client appli januari brittani ferri issu letter custom novemb state currenc surcharg incorpor rate structur addit rate increas north sea ferri nsf conced cooper amp oef octob prepar plan introduct currenc surcharg scale argu amount concert practic argu articl appli coordin place amp oef common parent compani amp osnc nsf argu coordin approach abandon shortli introduct surcharg econom impact market commiss assess parti argument commiss note amp oef ssl admiss infring articl engag concert practic snat commiss reject snat argument knowledg contact ferri oper pool partner ssl purpos meet held septemb octob primarili discuss currenc surcharg admit surcharg discuss presenc repres compani commiss acknowledg snat ssl entitl consult surcharg servic pool contact amp oef clear infring articl paragraph commiss accept snat direct contact ferri oper octob evid indirect contact amp oef pool partner ssl regard brittani ferri evid show contact amp oef ssl brittani ferri parti argu contact minim constitut concert practic commiss accept compani cooper react market situat lengthi consult ssl argu contact brittani amount phone call circumst phone call suffici amp touch brittani brittani admiss eager find competitor plan devalu sterl amp letter custom evid pass brittani ferri brittani ferri amp copi letter trucklin ferri custom previou dai announc imposit currenc surcharg effect novemb amp state order confirm verbal indic implement surcharg bf argu intern memorandum octob quot commiss statement object incorrect state olau line salli line decid introduc surcharg prove bf parti agreement commiss interpret document simpli indic parti assum compani fall plan amp ssl contact salli line time intern brittani ferri document written member bf sale staff refer amp oef sealink state author document argu brittani ferri flexibl implement surcharg commiss interpret document bf instruct sale staff agre amp ssl surcharg appli except client respect north sea ferri commiss accept nsf amp argument relationship preclud infring articl parti state north sea ferri determin dai dai commerci polici independ parent amp nedlloyd part amp organ view separ actor market parti deni collus place case ii legal assess articl articl ec treati prohibit incompat common market agreement undertak concert practic affect trade member state object effect prevent restrict distort competit directli indirectli fix purchas sell price trade condit order establish exist concert practic suffici undertak knowingli substitut practic cooper risk competit develop concert practic requir direct indirect contact competitor object effect influenc conduct market disclos conduct decid adopt contempl adopt market clear evid parti engag direct discuss aim settl common conduct relat introduct currenc surcharg clear discuss place senior level parti manag director directli involv light level contact oper exchang inform relat imposit surcharg clear similar surcharg impos result transpar relev market oper suggest inform parti infring activ parti result consult common custom result direct exchang inform order articl appli agreement concert practic parti object effect restrict competit clear object arrang parti bring imposit common currenc surcharg effect date doubt arrang amount concert practic object fix trade condit parti thereto arrang oper fall articl notwithstand difficulti experienc oper appli surcharg announc custom case surcharg implement precis form announc oper mid octob result oper cooper influenc trade condit relev market effect trade member state import undertak concern market freight servic sea unit kingdom northern franc belgium netherland doubt arrang potenti effect trade member state concert practic major supplier servic natur affect pattern trade member state emerg absenc practic clear servic question intern transport servic present case parti concern account larg proport servic market question establish member state diminut competit deflect demand alter pattern trade servic member state potenti secondari effect increas price transport servic depress demand servic diminish trade good unit kingdom continent europ conclus basi commiss consid amp european ferri stena sealink snat brittani ferri particip concert practic contrari articl ec treati agre amount currenc surcharg appli roll roll freight servic unit kingdom franc commiss consid amp oef north sea ferri particip concert practic contrari articl agre amount currenc surcharg appli roll roll freight servic uk belgium netherland fine articl regul eec articl regul eec commiss decis impos undertak fine ecu ecu million sum excess thereof exceed turnov preced busi year undertak particip infring intention neglig infring articl treati fix amount fine regard graviti durat infring graviti concert practic import oper market transport freight roll roll ferri attempt introduc uniform increas price constitut breach commun law oper argu surcharg justifi face substanti loss increas sterl price commiss deni oper act independ entitl introduc currenc surcharg consid clear evid amp oef stena sealink snat brittani ferri north sea ferri attempt elimin uncertainti action competitor agre introduc ident ident surcharg oper argu surcharg implement partial implement commiss accept introduct surcharg partial success larg due resist displai custom introduct surcharg fact success make infring deliber manifest infring clearest aspect prohibit laid articl regard commiss consid ringlead concert practic amp oef stena sealink oper plai minor role durat commiss consid concert practic begun octob amp oef sealink snat concern origin lie meet held date brittani ferri north sea ferri join mid octob evid surcharg appli smaller custom market power larger competitor remain place decemb state paragraph document found stena sealink state document found stena sealink address snat state document found premis salli line amp oef issu letter custom felixstow rotterdam zeebrugg servic novemb advis freight rate increas state avoid misunderstand currenc surcharg continu appli scale effect novemb announc letter octob similar letter issu novemb custom dover calai boulogn zeebrugg ostend servic intern amp oef document novemb amp oef document found amp oef state snat admit client invoic sterl paid surcharg surcharg appli decemb impli paid date similarli brittani ferri state surcharg affect haulier client appli januari commiss prepar accept infring end end commiss infring case merit substanti fine compani concern intend achiev constitut breach commun law practic simultan introduct currenc surcharg prove partial success symbol fine blatant natur infring commiss consid amp oef stena sealink fine greater amount parti view fact princip organ concert practic commiss acknowledg fact stena sealink provid full frank repli commiss request inform unannounc investig consid reduct fine case cooper commiss investig brought infring light stena sealink princip organ concert practic line polici outlin commiss recent notic reduct fine cartel case adopt decis articl amp european ferri stena line uk stena sealink sea franc snat brittani ferri north sea ferri infring articl ec treati particip earli mid octob decemb concert practic lead roll roll ferri oper uk contin freight market contact secretli discuss determin reaction devalu sterl septemb articl fine impos undertak name respect infring found articl amp oef fine ecu ii stena line uk stena sealink fine ecu iii sea franc snat fine ecu iv brittani ferri fine ecu north sea ferri fine ecu articl fine paid month date notif decis account account commiss european commun banqu bruxel lambert agenc européenn rond point schuman schumanplein brussel month interest automat payabl rate charg european monetari institut ecu transact work dai month decis adopt percentag point articl decis address amp european ferri channel hous channel view road dover gb kent ct tj stena line uk charter hous park st ashford gb kent tn sea franc rue ambrois paré pari cedex brittani ferri port de bloscon roscoff north sea ferri postbu nl ac rozenburg zh decis enforc pursuant articl ec treati brussel octob commiss karel van miert member commiss oj oj publish version decis inform hereinaft omit pursuant provis articl regul eec profession secreci oj agreement discontinu stena sealink repli articl request amp oef repli articl request document found premis amp oef document found salli line commiss investig amp oef repli articl request document found premis brittani ferri document found premis amp oef document found premis trucklin ferri north sea ferri repli articl request document found premis amp oef stena line bv repli articl request document found premis trucklin ferri nsf repli statement object point amp repli statement object point judgment court justic juli case ici commiss ecr paragraph judgment court justic decemb join case amp suiker uni al commiss ecr paragraph commiss decis eec polypropylen oj activ found infring articl notwithstand target price agre parti infring fact achiev oj