They served subpoenas on the CEOs of major container lines, taking advantage of a rare window of opportunity for the DoJ to exercise their power over foreign companies, said the Wall Street Journal.
Maersk Line confirmed on that it had been served with a subpoena. "The subpoena does not set out any specific allegations against Maersk Line," said a Maersk Line spokesman, adding that the company will fully cooperate with the authorities in the investigation.
The subpoenas were issued during a meeting of the world's 20 biggest container shipping operators in San Francisco.
The DoJ has regularly voiced concerns about antitrust laws as they relate to vessel-sharing agreements.
And on this occasion antitrust investigators' raid pre-empted the Federal Maritime Commission, the agency tasked with regulating shipping, which indicates DoJ is targeting a "grey area", said the WSJ report.
German container shipping line Hapag-Lloyd also confirmed it was given a subpoena, but could not be reached for comment.
Maersk Line confirmed on that it had been served with a subpoena. "The subpoena does not set out any specific allegations against Maersk Line," said a Maersk Line spokesman, adding that the company will fully cooperate with the authorities in the investigation.
The subpoenas were issued during a meeting of the world's 20 biggest container shipping operators in San Francisco.
The DoJ has regularly voiced concerns about antitrust laws as they relate to vessel-sharing agreements.
And on this occasion antitrust investigators' raid pre-empted the Federal Maritime Commission, the agency tasked with regulating shipping, which indicates DoJ is targeting a "grey area", said the WSJ report.
German container shipping line Hapag-Lloyd also confirmed it was given a subpoena, but could not be reached for comment.