And just as the outlook started to brighten, Japanese antitrust authorities in March slapped a $225 million fine on six companies, including market leaders Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, “K” Line and NYK Line for their part in a price-fixing scheme on ocean freight rates on international routes. Further financial hits are possible. Several class-action lawsuits were launched in the U.S. last summer, and European antitrust authorities are investigating alleged cartel activities. There are also concerns that growth in global automobile exports will slow as production increasingly shifts to import markets. Japan’s “K” Line, whose 100-strong fleet carries some 3.3 million cars a year, believes the move of production plants to importing nations will limit growth in seaborne automobile trade, and is diversifying its client base to carry more construction and mining vehicles, heavy trucks, agricultural equipment and static ro-ro cargoes. “K” Line rival MOL ......