The US Trade Representative (USTR) announced on April 17 a new trade policy that will impose systematic port fees on all Chinese-operated vessels and ships built in China docking at US ports. This move, set to take effect in six months, marks an extension of US-China trade tensions into the maritime industry. The policy aims to curb China's dominance in the global shipbuilding sector using "economic leverage."
US Trade Representative Greer stated that Chinese shipowners and operators will face a port fee of US$50 per net ton per trip, with each vessel required to pay the fee up to six times annually. These fees will increase annually over the next three years, and a differentiated fee system will be introduced in two phases.
Phase one: Port fees on Chinese ships (starting October 2025)
- Ships operated by Chinese companies or owned by Chinese entities will incur a service fee of US$50 per net ton per trip, capped at six trips annually.
- Maritime service providers using Chinese-built ships will be charged based on either the ship's net tonnage or the number of containers it carries, whichever results in a higher fee. Initial fees: US$18 per net ton, rising to US$33 per ton by 2028. Or US$120 per container, rising to US$250 per container by 2028.
- For automobile carriers not built in the US, fees will start at US$150 per Car Equivalent Unit (CEU).
Phase two: LNG transport restrictions and incentives (starting 2028)
- From 2028, the USTR will limit foreign-built vessels, particularly those built in China, from operating in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector.
- Incentives will be introduced for operators using American-built automobile carriers, including fee reductions.
- Companies using Chinese-built LNG vessels will face gradual capacity restrictions over 22 years, with phased regulatory measures starting in 2028.
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