Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy Files First Direct Purchaser Antitrust Class Action Challenging Alleged Global Shipping Container Cartel

"When companies controlling virtually the entire global supply conspire to restrict output and raise prices, American businesses suffer. The alleged conduct distorted a critical market at precisely the moment when businesses and consumers were most vulnerable."

— Adam J. Zapala, Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP

"Price-fixing cartels harm competition and the economy, and we look forward to recovering overcharges on dry shipping containers paid by American businesses and individuals."

— Elizabeth T. Castillo, Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP

“We are honored at CPM to continue the firm's longstanding legacy of vigorous antitrust enforcement. Protecting competition and ensuring that markets are not rigged against small businesses and consumers is central to our mission. We look forward to leading this important litigation."

— Adam J. Zapala, Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP

BURLINGAME, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy “CPM” has filed the nation's first direct purchaser antitrust class action seeking to hold some of the world's largest shipping container manufacturers accountable for an alleged conspiracy to restrict output and fix prices for standard dry shipping containers sold throughout the United States.

On June 24, 2026, Atlantic Coast Container, Inc., represented by CPM, filed a class action complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against (1) China International Marine Containers (Group) Co., Ltd. and CIMC USA, Inc. ("CIMC"), (2) Shanghai Universal Logistics Equipment Co., Ltd., also known as Dong Fang International Containers ("Dong Fang"), (3) CXIC Group Containers Co. Ltd. ("CXIC"), and (4) Singamas Container Holdings Ltd. ("Singamas").

According to the complaint, Defendants and their alleged co-conspirators collectively controlled approximately 95 percent of worldwide production capacity for standard dry shipping containers, giving them substantial control over a product essential to global commerce. The complaint alleges that Defendants agreed to restrict output and raise prices, causing direct purchasers throughout the United States to pay artificially inflated prices for shipping containers.

The alleged conspiracy occurred during a period of extraordinary disruption in global commerce caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As supply chains became strained and businesses throughout the United States struggled to obtain shipping containers necessary to move goods, Defendants allegedly chose to restrict supply and fix prices rather than expand production in response to extraordinary demand. According to the complaint, Defendants exploited these market conditions by restricting output and fixing prices, when American businesses and consumers were already grappling with severe supply-chain disruptions, container shortages, and rising costs, resulting in higher prices paid throughout the United States.

The complaint also alleges that Defendants’ conduct is the subject of pending criminal proceedings brought by the United States Department of Justice. According to the complaint, Defendants and certain senior executives have been charged with participating in a criminal conspiracy to restrict output and fix prices for standard dry shipping containers sold in the United States.

Shipping containers are indispensable to international commerce and are used to transport goods throughout domestic and international supply chains. The lawsuit alleges that Defendants' conduct increased costs for businesses throughout the United States and harmed competition in a market critical to the global economy. Standard dry shipping containers are used to transport a wide variety of consumer and industrial goods and are essential to the efficient movement of goods throughout modern supply chains.

Plaintiff and Class Representative Atlantic Coast Container Inc seeks damages and injunctive relief on behalf of itself and a proposed class of all persons and entities that directly purchased standard dry shipping containers from Defendants or their co-conspirators during the proposed class period.

If you or your business directly purchased standard dry shipping containers from CIMC, Dong Fang, CXIC, Singamas, or their co-conspirators between November 2019 and January 2024, you or your company may have potential claims as a prospective class member. Please contact Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP to speak with an experienced antitrust attorney about your potential claims.

A copy of the complaint is available upon request.

Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP, based in Burlingame, California, has earned a national reputation for representing plaintiffs in complex antitrust, class action, and commercial litigation matters. The firm has recovered billions of dollars on behalf of consumers, businesses, and public entities. To learn more about the firm, visit www.cpmlegal.com.