Samsung Electronics America (SEA) is seeking at least US$186 million in reparations from CMA CGM in a formal complaint filed with the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), alleging violations of the Shipping Act related to inland transportation and container charges. According to the complaint, Samsung alleges that CMA CGM engaged in unjust and unreasonable practices involving demurrage, detention, rail storage, cargo holds and the handling of inland transportation obligations. The dispute relates primarily to so-called “store door” shipments, under which CMA CGM transported Samsung containers under through bills of lading from overseas origins through US ports and onward to designated inland locations. Samsung argues that, under these arrangements, CMA CGM was responsible for both the ocean and inland portions of the transportation. Samsung alleges failures in inland transportation According to the FMC filing, CMA CGM began transporting Samsung containers under store-door bills of lading in January 2020. Samsung alleges that from around mid-2020, the carrier repeatedly failed to properly perform its inland transportation obligations, including timely removal of containers from marine and intermodal terminals and delivery to their designated inland destinations. The electronics company claims it was subsequently charged demurrage, detention and other costs resulting from delays that were outside its control. CMA CGM attributed some of the difficulties to factors including chassis and trucker shortages as well as port and terminal congestion, according to Samsung’s complaint. However, Samsung argues that responsibility for those issues rested with the carrier under the store-door transportation arrangements. Samsung says it ultimately paid more than 121,000 demurrage, detention and associated charges. The filing specifies more than 26,000 individual demurrage charges and over 94,000 detention-type charges. Cargo holds and changes to delivery arrangements The co