Global Shipping Faces Shake-Up as U.S. Imposes New Port Fees on Chinese Vessels

Starting October 2025, the U.S. will impose steep port fees on vessels owned or built by China, forcing global shipping companies to reroute fleets to avoid millions in additional costs.

Widespread Impact from U.S. Port Fee Policy

From October 14, 2025, the Trump administration will introduce port charges targeting:

Ships owned by Chinese companies

Ships built in China, even when operated by foreign shipping lines

According to maritime consultancy Drewry (London), by October, less than 5% of container ships calling at U.S. ports will be Chinese-built—down sharply from nearly 20% in late May.

A Surge in Vessel Rerouting to Avoid Fees

Drewry’s Managing Director Philip Damas predicts a rapid “exodus” of Chinese vessels from U.S. routes as the deadline approaches, though some Chinese-built ships will continue to dock.
Between late May and late July, the number of Chinese vessels operating on the three main U.S. trade lanes (Asia–West Coast, Asia–East Coast, and Trans-Atlantic) dropped by roughly 8%.

Fee Structure and Escalation Timeline

Chinese-owned ships: $50 per gross ton, capped at 5 calls per year; rising to $140/ton by 2028

Chinese-built ships (operated by non-Chinese carriers): $18/ton or $120/container—whichever is higher; rising to $33/ton or $250/container by 2028

Industry analysts warn that these charges could add millions of dollars per ship annually, placing a significant financial burden on operators.

Washington’s Justification for the Move

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) says the measure aims to level the playing field in global shipbuilding, pointing out that China’s dominance in the industry has been fueled by heavy state subsidies. South Korea and Japan rank second and third in global shipbuilding output.

Operational Challenges for Global Carriers

Chinese state-backed carriers such as Cosco have called the fees “unfair” and may find direct calls to the U.S. economically unviable.
Some shipping alliances, like Ocean Alliance (Cosco, OOCL, CMA CGM, and Evergreen), are considering vessel swaps to keep Chinese-built ships out of U.S. ports. However, this is far from ideal, as operating one’s own vessels is generally cheaper than leasing space on partners’ ships.

Risk of Rising Freight Rates and Competitive Pressure

Maritime strategist John McCown warns that absorbing the full cost would force carriers to raise rates for customers, eroding their competitiveness.
With the tariff truce between the U.S. and China extended until November 10, 2025, the policy could still be adjusted during ongoing trade talks—possibly making port fees a bargaining chip.

Regulatory Uncertainty Leaves Industry in Limbo

According to Leigh Hansson, a partner at law firm Reed Smith, many companies remain unclear on the exact charges they will face or whether exemptions will apply. Frequent revisions from the original proposal have left the shipping sector in wait-and-see mode.