Samsung Lodges Complaints Against OOCL and COSCO with FMC
Samsung Electronics' U.S. division has returned to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) once again, filing fresh complaints regarding service failures and what it deems as excessive charges against Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) and COSCO Shipping Lines. This marks Samsung's third instance of filing complaints with the FMC on similar grounds.
The core issue revolves around detention and demurrage charges, which have been a contentious point between shippers and carriers for quite some time, particularly exacerbated during the pandemic-induced surge in container volumes. Despite the FMC's previous efforts in 2022 to address such charges through reforms to the Ocean Shipping Act, complaints persist.
Samsung's past grievances with Zim and SM Line are still undergoing FMC review, with the former's case expected to conclude by year-end. These complaints revolve around the carriers' "store door" delivery service and the associated detention and demurrage fees.
In the recent complaints against OOCL and COSCO, Samsung alleges over 4,400 and 5,000 erroneous charges respectively since 2021 and 2020. These charges relate to failures in inland transportation, with Samsung claiming carriers neglected to properly manage container movements, resulting in additional costs and delays.
Instances of carriers refusing to release containers due to alleged outstanding fees have also been cited. Samsung claims to have faced difficulties in resolving these issues directly with the carriers, prompting their appeal to the FMC for intervention.
Exact claim amounts have not been disclosed by Samsung, as they are still being calculated. The process now involves responses from the carriers and a fact-finding phase by the FMC before any rulings are made.
