China Probes Mass Shipping Corruption

Following allegations of levying excessive and arbitrary charges, China is probing shipping companies after being prompted by complaints from foreign trade firms the country's cabinet said, according to Reuters.

PTI previously reported Alexandra Wrage, the President and Founder of anti-bribery compliance expert Trace as saying that shipping is the most corrupt industry as a result of not having a mature anti-corruption compliance culture.

The Chinese State Council has ordered seven departments to investigate double charges on imports and exports and other illegal fees.

The National Development and Reform Commission found that some shipping companies “have too many items on document charges and unreasonable telex release charges.”

Pakistan’s shipping industry has also come under scrutiny of corruption after Dawn, Pakistan’s English language newspaper, blamed Pakistan’s failing shipping sector for systematic failures that power corruption and misplaced priorities.