The Competition Commission searched the premises of six of the world's leading shipping companies, including AP Moeller-Maersk, as part of an investigation into allegations that they colluded to fix cargo rates between Asia and South Africa. The antitrust regulator started raids on premises of local operations of Copenhagen-based Maersk and its Safmarine unit, Hamburg Sued Group, Mediterranean Shipping, Pacific International Lines and CMA CGM SA in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, it said yesterday.The investigation was triggered by a tip-off from a member of the public, the commission said.It will seize documents and electronic data, which will be analysed with other information to determine if the companies contravened the Competition Act."We are co-operating fully," Maersk said.MSC confirmed that its premises were among those searched and said it was assisting the relevant authorities with their investigations. Hamburg Sued declined to comment. Neither of the other companies responded. ..