Texas Company Sues Carnival Corporation for Nearly $30 Million Over Unpaid Satellite Bandwidth Invoices
Maritime Communications Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation based in Texas doing business as Speedcast, has filed a significant breach of contract lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20739-KMW, alleges that the cruise giant failed to pay tens of millions of dollars in deficiency invoices related to mandatory minimum bandwidth commitments for its global fleet of cruise ships.
Speedcast Alleges Carnival Breached Maritime Communications Agreement Following Significant Bandwidth Usage Shortfalls
The legal dispute centers on a 2018 Master Agreement for Communications Services. Under this contract, Speedcast provided critical satellite connectivity, including VSAT and hybrid network solutions, to support internet and Wi-Fi services across Carnival’s various cruise brands. A key provision of the agreement required Carnival to purchase a minimum amount of bandwidth each month, known as the Aggregate Minimum Monthly Bandwidth Commitment. The parties specifically set this minimum at 8.5 Gbps per month. According to the lawsuit, if the actual usage by the cruise ships fell below this threshold, Carnival was contractually obligated to pay for the shortfall. Speedcast alleges that for a fourteen month period spanning from August 2020 through September 2021, Carnival’s usage consistently failed to reach the required minimum.
Carnival Corporation Accused of Failing to Pay Twenty-Nine Million Dollars in Monthly Deficiency Invoices
The complaint asserts that Speedcast fulfilled its obligations by providing the necessary satellite infrastructure and issuing timely invoices for the resulting deficiencies. These invoices were calculated using a blended rate based on the global positions of the covered vessels at the time of the shortfall. While Carnival reportedly continued to pay separate invoices for its actual bandwidth usage, it allegedly ignored the deficiency invoices entirely. The total outstanding balance claimed by Speedcast is $29,722,244.12, a figure that excludes additional contractual interest. Speedcast notes that Carnival never provided written notice of a dispute regarding these charges before the payment deadlines and has continued to withhold payment despite repeated demands.
Lawsuit Details Failed Dispute Resolution and Breach of Restated Master Agreement Between Speedcast and Carnival
The relationship between the two entities continued with a First Amended and Restated Master Agreement that took effect on January 1, 2022. Speedcast alleges that this new agreement specifically preserved the right to pursue outstanding debts from the previous contract period, stating that the amendment did not serve as a waiver for unpaid amounts owed by Carnival. In December 2025, Speedcast attempted to resolve the matter through the formal dispute resolution procedure outlined in the amended contract. This process required the appointment of corporate managers to negotiate a settlement within fifteen business days. However, the lawsuit claims Carnival failed to designate a representative or engage in the mandated negotiations, leaving Speedcast with no choice but to seek judicial intervention to recover its losses.
Speedcast Seeks Jury Trial and Full Recovery of Unpaid Debt and Interest in Southern District of Florida
The complaint includes counts for breach of contract and account stated. Speedcast argues that because Carnival paid for its actual usage and failed to object to the deficiency statements, it implicitly agreed to the accuracy of the calculations. The plaintiff is seeking a judgment that orders Carnival to pay the full invoiced amount of nearly thirty million dollars along with pre-judgment and post-judgment interest. Because the parties contractually agreed to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Miami-Dade County and Carnival maintains its principal place of business in Miami, the case is being heard in the Florida federal court system. Speedcast has demanded a trial by jury to resolve all triable issues presented in the complaint.
Contact a Cruise Industry Contract Dispute Lawyer if Your Business Has Suffered Losses Due to Breach of Service Agreements
Maritime service providers and vendors who encounter payment defaults or contract breaches with major cruise lines may be entitled to significant damages under federal and state law. Companies like Carnival Corporation are bound by the terms of their master service agreements, including minimum purchase commitments and bandwidth guarantees. If your organization is facing a similar dispute over unpaid invoices or failure to honor maritime communication contracts, contact our team of experienced attorneys today. We can help you navigate complex commercial litigation and ensure your business interests are protected.
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Disclaimer: Our firm does not represent the plaintiff in this case and is not involved in the litigation. The information provided is a summary of allegations based on publicly available court filings. We make no representations about the truth of these allegations, are not commenting on the merits of the case, and are not predicting any outcome.
