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Port fee conflict between U.S. and China hits key sectors amid reciprocity escalation
VU
New U.S. port fees targeting Chinese-owned and Chinese-built vessels — effective October 14 — could affect up to 35% of major shipping sectors, according to BIMCO.
China has introduced retaliatory port fees on U.S.-linked vessels shortly after the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) new charges targeting Chinese-owned and -built ships take effect from October 14, 2025.
According to BIMCO, roughly 35% of ships in container, crude tanker, product tanker and bulk segments may incur extra fees when docking at U.S. ports under the U.S. plan. Of these, about 70% are owned or operated by Chinese entities, while 30% were built in China. Meanwhile, many Chinese-built vessels are exempted due to size limits or U.S. ownership ties.
The U.S. currently operates only 188 commercial ships under its flag — roughly 0.4% of the global fleet. Analysts estimate that, if fully enforced, Chinese carriers could face up to USD 3.9 billion in annual port fee liabilities in China, while U.S.-linked operators might pay USD 1.2 billion in fees at U.S. ports.
Container carriers — including Maersk’s U.S. operations, Matson, and APL — stand to be among those hardest hit. They are currently assessing the impact on their service routes amid mounting maritime tensions.
source: mykn.kuehne-nagel.com
photo: safety4sea.com
