The Office of the US Trade Representative has approved new port charges for ships built or owned by Chinese companies. From October 2025, a gradually increasing charge will be applied to such ships: from $50 to $140 per net register ton, and for container ships built in China – from $18 to $33 per ton or from $120 to $250 per container, depending on which calculation method gives a higher amount. Small ships are exempt from charges: up to 4,000 TEU for container ships, up to 80,000 deadweight tons for bulk carriers and up to 55,000 tons for other types.
In addition, from October 2025, a similar charge of $150 per conventional capacity unit (CEU) will be introduced for all car ferries built outside the United States. A separate tariff is also being prepared for gas carriers. Ships operating short routes of less than 2,000 km, as well as ships owned by American companies or citizens, are exempt from the new fees. In the case of ordering and receiving a ship built at an American shipyard, a refund of the fees paid for a period of up to three years is provided.
The introduction of these measures, according to experts, could lead to a restructuring of global logistics chains: large shipping lines and forwarders are already beginning to adapt their fleets and routes, dividing them into those serving the United States and other destinations. It is expected that orders for new construction will also be redistributed in favor of shipyards located outside of China.