Feds investigating Crowley, Sea Star in antitrust probe

Crowley Maritime Corp. and Sea Star Line LLC are two of the three subjects of a federal investigation into pricing practices of ocean carriers operating in the Puerto Rico trade.

In a prepared statement, Crowley officials said federal investigators are conducting an antitrust investigation and that Crowley will cooperate.

"Certain records were obtained by investigators Thursday," the company said in the statement. "Crowley intends to cooperate with investigators and is confident that it has acted appropriately in all respects. Neither Crowley, nor its employees, have been identified as targets of this investigation."

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Sea Star had a similar statement: "The Department of Justice is conducting an investigation into allegations of possible antitrust violations," the statement reads. "Sea Star Line LLC is cooperating fully with the authorities."

Federal Bureau of Investigation spokesman Newsome Summerlin said the agency won't comment on the existence of an investigation.

Also under investigation is Horizon Lines Inc., a North Carolina-based shipping company that serves the Puerto Rican market.

Another Jacksonville shipper that services Puerto Rico, Trailer Bridge inc., was not visited by the FBI, said CEO John D. McCown.

"We have been asked by the Justice Department to provide various contract information and we will cooperate with that fully and completely," McCown said.

Jacksonville-based Crowley Maritime is a privately held company that provides transportation and logistics services in domestic and international markets. Sea Star, also based in Jacksonville, offers cargo transportation services from the U.S. to Puerto Rico and several Caribbean islands.