The regional office of the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) carried out an audit and found violations of the antimonopoly legislation at the Big Port of St. Petersburg. FAS handed over its order to Authority of the seaport “Big Port of St. Petersburg” to remove these violations, the FAS press-service reports.

The FAS statement said, the BPSP Authority when selecting firms providing financial services for opening and maintaining bank accounts, personnel medical insurance, etc. made it without free and open bidding.

Since the company is included in the Russian Register of natural monopolies in transport industry, FAS said the BPSP Authority should have invited free bids for contracts for any services as it is prescribed by the law "On Protection of Competition". The company should not restrict competition and debar other financial companies providing the same services.

The Authority of seaport “Big Port of St. Petersburg” is a federal government agency (nonprofit organization). The Big Port of St. Petersburg provides services for seaborne shipments and ensures freight and navigation safety and providing emergency response services.