Samsung Electronics America has filed a claim for at least US$186m with the US Federal Maritime Commission over alleged breaches of the US Shipping Act by shipper CMA CGM.
The company says the container carrier imposed unlawful demurrage, detention and rail storage charges between 2020 and 2023, alongside failures in its delivery of inland transportation and cargo release.
The claim is made up of $148m in disputed charges, $8.1m in operational mitigation costs and $30m in prejudgment interest.
Samsung has alleged that CMA CGM did not fulfil ‘store door’ obligations – under which the ocean carrier is responsible for arranging inland transport from the port to the final destination – on multiple occasions and passed on costs caused by congestion and equipment shortages. It says the company issued more than 121,000 demurrage, detention and rail storage charges for delays that were outside its control.
The company also claims that CMA CGM used finance holds and account suspensions to secure payment of disputed invoices.
Samsung has asked the FMC to hold a formal hearing in Washington, DC.