Samsung seeks $186 million from CMA CGM over container charges
Samsung Electronics America is seeking at least $186 million from CMA CGM in a Federal Maritime Commission complaint that alleges the carrier imposed unlawful container charges and failed to meet inland transportation commitments. The dispute covers store-door shipments that began in January 2020 and includes more than 121,000 demurrage and detention charges Samsung says it paid. Samsung is asking for about $148 million in disputed demurrage, detention, rail storage and related costs.
One example cited in the complaint involves a container shipped from Busan to Long Beach then to The Colony, Texas, which accrued roughly $162,800 in rail storage charges after its service was switched from store-door to container-yard.
CMA CGM has said the dispute stems from the exceptional operating conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic and that it fulfilled its contractual obligations and regulatory requirements. The carrier began handling Samsung’s containers under store-door bills of lading in January 2020, according to the complaint.
What we know
Samsung is seeking at least $186 million from CMA CGM
CMA CGM began handling Samsung containers under store-door bills of lading in January 2020
Samsung paid more than 121,000 demurrage, detention and associated charges
Requested reparations include approximately $148 million in disputed demurrage, detention, rail storage and related charges
One container accumulated approximately $162,800 in rail storage charges after service changed to container-yard