Samsung Files $186M FMC Complaint Over CMA CGM Practices

Samsung has filed a record-breaking $186 million complaint with the Federal Maritime Commission against CMA CGM, alleging violations of maritime shipping regulations and discriminatory demand-and-deliver (D&D) practices. This represents one of the largest shipper complaints in recent maritime history and signals growing tension between major shippers and ocean carriers over rate-setting and service practices. The complaint centers on D&D practices, whereby carriers impose additional fees and operational requirements on shippers, that Samsung alleges are anti-competitive and harmful to supply chain efficiency.

For supply chain professionals, this case underscores the vulnerability of even large multinational shippers to carrier-imposed costs and the increasing willingness of major corporations to challenge maritime practices through regulatory channels. The outcome of this case could reshape ocean freight economics. A favorable ruling for Samsung may establish precedent for cost recovery and encourage other shippers to challenge similar carrier practices, potentially creating significant liability exposure for major ocean carriers and forcing them to restructure their D&D policies.

Conversely, if the FMC rejects or significantly reduces Samsung's claim, it may signal that such practices remain within carriers' operational authority despite shipper objections.