Proposed US port call fees for Chinese vessels latest to roil container market: Freightos Analysis

More proposed US policy changes unveiled last week are once again roiling international trade in general and ocean freight in particular. These steps included President Trump signing a memorandum advising federal agencies to research and take steps to prevent Chinese investment in certain US industries, including ports and shipping, and a commerce secretary proposal that all foreign vessels pay a US port tax.

But the biggest bombshell came from the US Trade Representative’s announcement of a proposed action that would target China’s growing influence in the shipbuilding industry by imposing fees ranging from US$500,000 to US$1.5 million per US port call by any Chinese carrier, Chinese vessel, or other carrier that has Chinese vessels as part of their global fleet. The action would also provide refunds to carriers using US vessels and sets targets for the share of US exports that should be moved by US-flagged vessels in the coming years.

US slaps sanctions on Chinese shipyards: Up to US$1.5 million fee per boxship

The actions are based on the findings of Biden-era USTR…