Carrier Retaliated Over Detention Dispute, Complaint to FMC Says
California-based Mac Container Line alleges that COSCO Shipping Lines retaliated against it after it disputed the carrier’s detention charges for cargo shipped from Seattle to India, according to a complaint filed Dec. 18 with the Federal Maritime Commission.
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After the detention dispute arose, COSCO “initiated a series of escalating retaliatory actions,” including trying to prematurely terminate a service contract slated to run from October 2025 to September 2026, Mac said. Mac said it lost a significant amount of business due to COSCO’s action, even though COSCO later reversed the contract cancellation.
The “total documented economic harm exceeds $700,000 to $1.2 million, with additional recoverable damages and potential civil penalties,” the complaint says. Mac also seeks to have the disputed $157,068 detention invoice voided.
COSCO didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.