Update 08 Sep 2026, 20:32 UTC:
Samsung Electronics America has filed a formal complaint with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) seeking a minimum of $186 million in reparations from CMA CGM. The complaint, served on September 1, invokes issues surrounding the management of shipments that have been problematic since the onset of pandemic-era supply chain disruptions.
Details of the Dispute
At the core of Samsung’s allegations are the logistics surrounding “store door” shipments where CMA CGM was contracted to deliver containers from foreign factories through U.S. ports to inland destinations. Samsung asserts that the arrangement deteriorated around 2020 as various factors including congestion, chassis shortages, and trucking issues plagued supply chains, impacting the movement of their goods.
The complaint outlines that CMA CGM repeatedly failed to execute inland movements as stipulated in their contracts, forcing Samsung to incur significant demurrage, detention, and rail storage charges, totaling more than 121,000 instances. Notably, one shipment from Busan, South Korea, accrued $162,799 in rail storage after CMA CGM terminated the store-door contract at a rail ramp. Another incident involved containers held for over two weeks due to chassis shortages, with Samsung estimating nearly $3.75 million in related fees.
CMA CGM’s Response
While acknowledging the logistical difficulties faced during the pandemic, Samsung asserts that these challenges fell under CMA CGM’s responsibilities as per their store-door agreements. The complaint further reveals that CMA CGM frequently cited external factors such as chassis shortages and port congestion when questioned about the accumulating fees, yet refrained from waiving many of these charges. Samsung claims that, on multiple occasions, CMA CGM reclassified prepaid store-door shipments as container yard moves, thereby shifting transportation responsibilities back to Samsung.
Conflict escalated as CMA CGM allegedly employed cargo and credit holds to compel Samsung to pay disputed bills. In April 2022, a hold on 40 containers prevented their removal from a New York-New Jersey terminal due to a charge dispute exceeding $590,000 with a CMA CGM affiliate.
Outcome and Implications
Despite sending a formal demand letter in July 2024 and pursuing discussions throughout 2025 and 2026, Samsung reports that negotiations have not resolved the matter. The total claimed by Samsung includes $148 million for alleged wrongful charges, $8.1 million in additional costs stemming from transportation duties that should have been handled by CMA CGM, and a minimum of $30 million in prejudgment interest, alongside claims for lost revenue.
Behind the Headline
This high-profile dispute between Samsung and CMA CGM highlights the ongoing repercussions of supply chain disruptions characterized by the pandemic. As major operators navigate the complexities of shipping logistics, responsibility delineation becomes paramount. The significant financial stakes for Samsung underscore the critical importance of contractual adherence and efficient cargo management. Companies facing similar challenges may reconsider their shipping agreements and logistics partners, impacting overall market dynamics as accountability in shipping logistics becomes increasingly scrutinized.
