Samsung Seeks $186M From CMA CGM Over Container Charges

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Samsung Electronics America is seeking at least $186 million from CMA CGM in a Federal Maritime Commission complaint alleging the ocean carrier imposed unlawful container charges and failed to fulfill inland transportation commitments. The French carrier disputes the allegations and has asked the commission to dismiss the case. The dispute centers on store-door shipments, under which CMA CGM agreed to transport Samsung's containers from overseas origins through U.S. ports to designated inland destinations, with Samsung arguing the carrier passed along costs from delays it was responsible for arranging. Samsung says it paid more than 121,000 demurrage, detention and associated charges, including more than 26,000 individual demurrage charges and over 94,000 detention-type charges, and seeks approximately $148 million in disputed demurrage, detention, rail storage and related charges and costs, at least $8.1 million in additional expenses, and approximately $30 million in prejudgment interest, plus legal fees, meaning its total demand could exceed $186 million. Samsung contends the carrier's conduct violated Section 41102(c) of the Shipping Act and is asking the FMC to award reparations and order CMA CGM to cease the allegedly unlawful practices, while CMA CGM has characterized the dispute as arising from the exceptional operating conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic and maintains it complied with its contractual obligations and applicable regulations.

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Artificial Intelligence▲
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
005930
± MixedRegulationrelevance

Samsung seeks $186M in FMC reparations over alleged unlawful container charges, but the outcome is unresolved as CMA CGM disputes and seeks dismissal.

Off-coverage companies 1

CMA CGMi
Private▼ NegativeRegulationrelevance

CMA CGM faces an FMC complaint seeking over $186M in reparations and a cease-and-desist order over alleged unlawful demurrage/detention practices.