Ferry operators deny collusion as EC swoops
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• International hauliers may be eligible for refunds worth thousands of pounds following the EC's discovery of evidence that ferry operators may have imposed surcharges illegally.
Following scrutiny of the activities of P&O European Ferries, Stena. Sealink, Sally Line, Brittany Ferries at Roscoff and Truckline, it is understood the EC may have found evidence that the companies worked together to breach Community law last year when they imposed freight surcharges of up to l0.
The introduction of the surcharges was greeted by a storm of protest from hauliers.
It is unclear if evidence has been found against some or all of the ferry companies, or if there will be enough evidence for the EC to prove any illegal behaviour.
Any ferry operator found guilty of collusion in bringing in currency surcharges could face unlimited fines from the EC. It has been suggested that hauliers could demand refunds from any ferry firms found guilty The initial findings of collusion follow a swoop by EC officials on ferry companies' premises. Documents were taken away for analysis.The five ferry companies have confirmed the inquiry; Sally Line says it believes the final report will reveal "no implication of collusion with other opera