HMM, a leading South Korean airline operator, has gone on the attack to try to deflect price gouging allegations made by Samsung Electronics America.

After filing cases with the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) in Washington against COSCO, OOCL, SM Line and ZIM, Samsung Electronics America filed a lawsuit against HMM last month, alleging that the carrier had imposed some $96,000 in detention and demurrage fees that it described as “erroneous” in a 24-page document.

HMM has just responded to a $13 million lawsuit filed in a California court alleging unpaid bills and is also seeking dismissal of the case brought against FMC.

The FMC was besieged by record numbers of shipper complaints during the liner shipping boom. The commission’s powers were strengthened two years ago with the passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act.