The Atlantic Conference, also known as the North Atlantic Passenger Conference,[1] was an organization between international shipping companies to establish a monopoly on the North Atlantic. The organization was born on February 5, 1908, when thirteen companies came to an agreement to limit competition from all lines outside of the conference.
Break up
On January 4, 1911, the US government under the Sherman Antitrust Act brought a lawsuit against a number of shipping companies.[2][3]
It was alleged the thirteen companies entered into an illegal contract on February 5, 1908, "by which them constituted themselves the Atlantic Conference, with power to impose heavy fines on members of the conference for violation of any articles of agreement and wage competition against all lines outside of the conference."[2] It was alleged that the conference was responsible for forcing the Russian Volunteer Fleet out of business, and that the "Russian-American Line was forced to make terms with the contract and enter its membership."