Japanese shipping company Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) has been convicted of criminal cartel conduct and fined $25 million, the second-highest fine imposed in the history of regulatory body, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). NYK was charged with giving effect to cartel provisions in an arrangement or understanding with other shipping lines relating to the transportation of motor vehicles to Australia between 2009 and 2012.

According to an investigation by the ACCC, the cartel operated from at least February 1997 and affected vehicles transported to Australia by NYK and other shipping lines from locations in Asia, the USA and Europe on behalf of major car manufacturers including Nissan, Suzuki, Honda, Toyota and Mazda. The chairman of the ACCC Rod Sims said "the Australian community relies heavily on imported vehicles, so a longstanding cartel in relation to the transportation of those vehicles to Australia was of significant concern."

Justice Wigney of the Federal Court states that “the penalty imposed on NYK should send a powerful message to multinational corporations that conduct business in Australia that anti-competitive conduct will not be tolerated and will be dealt with harshly. This cartel conduct engaged in by NYK is ultimately detrimental to Australian businesses and consumers."