Informal review into proposed vehicle-handling sector consolidation
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is looking into the proposed acquisition of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics’ (WWL) local arm, WWLA, by Prixcar Services for a 20 per cent equity interest in the buyer.
The ACCC notes that Prixcar provides pre-delivery inspection (PDI) services for motor vehicles, including the inspecting, processing and storage of imported vehicles, and transport from the port to the vehicles’ owner and that PrixCar’s owners are Toll, shipping line K Line, and the Qube group, which also owns terminal operator Australian Amalgamated Terminals (AAT).
It also notes that both Prixcar and WWLA provide PDI services for light trucks.
The ‘informal review’ will review is focused on the potential impact of the proposed acquisition on competition.
In particular, it will consider:
- the extent of competition between PrixCar’s and WWLA’s operations, and the potential impact of the proposed acquisition on the price or quality of their respective services
- the effects on competition, if any, of Qube, K Line or Toll gaining an ownership interest in WWLA’s operations
- the effects on competition, if any, of WWL, which owns terminal operator Melbourne International RoRo & Auto Terminal (Mirrat) gaining an ownership interest in Prixcar.
Meanwhile, the ACCC has granted two authorisations to the Transport Workers Union of Australia SA/NT Branch to allow owner drivers contracted to Toll Transport in metropolitan Adelaide, and in the Whyalla region, to engage in voluntary collective bargaining with Toll until December 15, 2022.