News reports: Chinese investigating liner carriers over surcharges

China’s National Development and Reform Commission is visiting liner carrier offices throughout the country as part of its surcharges investigation.

   News sources are reporting that Chinese officials are investigating container-shipping companies over surcharges.
   The website Splash said the “Shanghai offices of many of the world’s leading container lines have been raided by local authorities looking to clamp down on erroneous surcharges that the lines have been charging shippers.”
   Container Management had a similar report.
   Splash said the investigators are working “at the behest of China’s powerful National Development and Reform Committee (NDRC), [and] have been combing through emails and files at many boxlines since Friday.”
   Maersk said in a statement, “We can confirm that the National Development and Reform Commission carried out an inspection in our offices in Shanghai. We are cooperating fully with NDRC and providing all documents and data requested The fact that NDRC carries out such inspections does not mean that a company has engaged in behaviors not compliant with Chinese regulations nor does it prejudge the outcome of the investigation itself.”