Fri, 18 Apr 2025

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 US lays out plans to hit Chinese ships with port fees

The charges will start in 180 days and rise in the coming years.
The US government has introduced new port fees on Chinese ships as part of an effort to revive shipbuilding in the US and counter China's dominance in the industry. The fees, which will be charged based on cargo weight or container numbers, are expected to start in 180 days and rise annually for three years. Chinese vessel owners and operators will initially pay $50 per ton of cargo, increasing by $30 a year over the next three years. Fees for Chinese-built ships will begin at $18 per ton or $120 per container, also rising annually for three years. Non-US built ships carrying cars will be charged $150 per vehicle, while empty vessels and those transporting goods between US ports are exempt from the fees. The move is seen as part of a broader trade war between the US and China, with the US imposing tariffs on Chinese imports and China retaliating. Global trade has already been disrupted by these measures, with cargo originally destined for US ports being redirected to European ports instead. Businesses have warned that this will lead to higher prices for consumers in the US, while experts predict that the new rules may further disrupt global trade.
  >>