The Czech competition authority has confirmed a fine of 2.1 million CZK against Lorenc Logistic, s.r.o. for participating in a cartel concerning public procurement contracts managed by the Railway Administration. This decision follows a review initiated by the Supreme Administrative Court.

Between 2014 and 2018, Lorenc Logistic and its competitor EXPRES VAN s.r.o. engaged in a cartel agreement aimed at securing contracts for the transportation of commercial packages. Lorenc Logistic initially requested a reduction in the fine, which was granted, resulting in a 20% decrease from the original amount.

However, Lorenc Logistic later appealed the fine, arguing it was excessive and unfair compared to the penalty imposed on EXPRES. The chairman of the competition authority, Petr Mlsna, rejected this appeal, emphasizing the seriousness of anticompetitive behavior and clarifying that the fine should be based on the company's turnover from 2020, not 2019.

After the Supreme Administrative Court's intervention, the case returned to the competition authority for a new penalty determination. The court ruled that once a company admits to its anticompetitive conduct and requests a fine reduction, the penalty cannot be increased. Consequently, the chairman upheld the original fine amount in his latest decision.