US confirms parcel delivery probe

The Justice Department has confirmed that it is conducting an investigation into possible anti-competitive behaviour in the parcel-delivery market, reported Dow Jones Newswires.


United Parcel Service and FedEx Corp both said in January that they were being investigated by the Justice Department. But the companies described the probe as a preliminary investigation, and the department declined to comment at the time.


"The anti-trust division is investigating the possibility of anti-competitive conduct in the market for the delivery of time-sensitive parcels," Justice Department spokeswoman Gina Talamona said.


Talamona declined to specify which companies the department is investigating.


UPS spokesman Norman Black said the status of the department's investigation hasn't changed.


Fed Ex spokesman Maury Lane said: "As we previously have confirmed, we are aware of the DOJ investigation and are cooperating fully." 


UPS and FedEx have said the probe stems from allegations, first outlined in a pending lawsuit filed against them over the summer by AFMS, a Portland, Oregan, consulting firm, that they improperly co-operated to freeze out third-party shipping negotiators and consultants.


UPS and FedEx have denied wrongdoing and have said they are cooperating with the Justice Department investigation.
(Source:http://www.cargonewsasia.com)