Samsung Electronics America has lodged a formal complaint against HMM Co., Ltd. citing alleged breaches of shipping regulations.
According to Samsung, HMM levied charges for detention and demurrage on shipments delivered to “store doors” due to reasons beyond Samsung’s control. Moreover, Samsung asserts that HMM issued invoices lacking required information and threatened to deny available cargo space, among other grievances.
The complaint invokes specific sections of the Shipping Act of 1984, which grants jurisdiction to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) over such disputes. Samsung, a corporation based in New York, contends that the FMC has both subject matter and personal jurisdiction over HMM, which operates globally with its corporate headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, and conducts business in the United States through HMM America Shipping Agency, Inc., headquartered in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey.
Under the provisions of the act, HMM has 25 days from the date of service of the complaint to respond. The entire complaint is available for public scrutiny on the FMC’s website. The FMC’s Office of Administrative Law Judges will oversee the proceedings, with an initial decision expected by June 5, 2025, and a final decision by December 19, 2025.
David Eng, the Secretary of the FMC, issued the notice of the complaint and proceedings.
