US hits Chinese ships with hefty port fees in trade war escalation

The Trump administration on Thursday finalised port fees on Chinese vessels docking in the US, a move that is likely to threaten the global shipping industry and trade.

The decision has prompted Chinese shippers to rush to review the 42-page document released by the United States Trade Representative (USTR). The phased plan targets Chinese-owned, operated and built ships, and fees will be incrementally raised. Initial assessments suggest it could lead to higher fees per port call than an earlier proposal.

The revised plan unveiled on the USTR website offered a 180-day grace period and shields domestic exporters. But it remains stringent for Chinese operators and vessels.

Chinese operators and shipowners have to pay US$50 per net ton for vessels entering US ports from October 14. The fee will increase annually to US$140 by April 2028 and apply regardless of where the vessels are built.

The USTR did not specify the fee for Chinese operators’ containers.

The port fee is lower for Chinese-built vessels – starting at US$18 per net ton or US$120 per container from October 14. This will gradually increase to US$33 per net ton or US$250 per container by April 2028.

The fees will be charged up to five times per year for each vessel and will be assessed at the first US port of entry, in a bid to prevent ships from bypassing smaller ports within the country, according to the USTR.

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