Core Insights - The article discusses the significant impact of the Kenyan Competition Authority's (CAK) antitrust investigation on the logistics and freight forwarding industry in East Africa, leading to a transformation in pricing and operational dynamics [1][2]. Pricing System Collapse - The CAK's investigation revealed a price-fixing agreement between shipping giants Maersk and CMA CGM, which had established a uniform terminal handling fee of $99 per 20-foot container, undermining the pricing foundation of the international freight market [2]. - Multinational shipping companies control over 70% of logistics contracts, creating a closed network that disadvantages local logistics firms, which own 90% of truck assets but only handle 30% of transport business [2]. - The investigation has led to a dramatic increase in complaints related to detention fees, with a reported 270% rise in customer complaints due to disputes over these fees in 2024 [2]. Supply Chain Financial Impact - Trade financing data from Dubai's NBD Bank indicates an 18 percentage point increase in the credit refusal rate for East African routes in Q1 2025, with 62% of refusals linked to shipping document delays [3]. - The average cash turnover rate for freight forwarding companies has decreased by 35% due to the "hidden pricing" controlled by shipping giants, leading to increased reliance on costly short-term financing [3]. Logistics Path Reconstruction - Following the CAK investigation, local logistics firms gained a 15% operational share at the new container terminal in Mombasa, resulting in a 210% year-on-year increase in cargo transported via the Nairobi-Malaba railway [4]. - In the cross-border e-commerce sector, there was an 85% increase in packages transported from Djibouti to Ethiopia in Q2 2025, while the traditional Mombasa route's share dropped to 48% [4]. Service Capability Transformation - A survey indicated that only 12% of local freight forwarding companies had rail intermodal operation qualifications in 2024, but this figure rose to 39% by July 2025 [5]. - The complexity of managing multiple documents in intermodal transport has led to a 30%-50% increase in service premiums for companies capable of integrating these operations, while traditional sea freight services have seen profit margins shrink to below 8% [5]. Market Structure Evolution - The CAK's investigation exposed the systemic control exerted by shipping giants over the freight forwarding market, with companies under exclusive contracts with Maersk facing 18%-22% lower booking costs compared to independent freight forwarders [6]. - Following the investigation, the CAK mandated shipping companies to allocate 20% of their capacity to independent freight forwarders, resulting in a market share increase for these companies from 17% to 31% in June 2025 [6]. Supply Chain Collaboration Changes - The breaking of shipping giants' monopolies has prompted freight forwarding companies to seek cross-segment collaborations, leading to the creation of a "door-to-door full chain service package" that is 15%-20% cheaper than bundled services from shipping giants [7]. - This decentralized collaboration model resulted in a 75% year-on-year revenue increase for alliance members in the first half of 2025, while companies relying solely on traditional shipping channels experienced a 12% revenue decline [7].