The bankruptcy estate of Bed Bath & Beyond has filed a lawsuit with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) seeking $300 million from Mediterranean Shipping Co after the company allegedly overcharged Bed Bath & Beyond to move its products during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Bed Bath & Beyond wants MSC to pay roughly $150 million for damages as well as an equal sum for what the company described as exploitative and coercive behavior.
The lawsuit claims that MSC’s performance in 2021 was “abysmal.” The lawsuit also said that MSC failed to meet contractual obligations in terms of pricing while saddling the retailer with surcharges. “MSC’s behavior has caused significant harm,” the complaint said.
MSC said that it is studying the complaint but believes that the claims have no merit.
“MSC is proud of its efforts to provide its customers with continued service during a time of extraordinary market conditions,” a spokesperson said.
Bed Bath & Beyond previously made similar claims against the Taiwanese company Yang Ming Marine Transport as well as OOCL. However, the organization claimed much smaller damages against those companies.
Bed Bath & Beyond filed for bankruptcy protection in April. The retailer subsequently closed all of its stores and sold its brand to Overstock.com, which has since taken on the Bed Bath & Beyond name. Shortly after that, the bankrupt estate changed its legal name to DK Butterfly.
