Industry analysts warn that proposed U.S. port fees targeting Chinese-linked vessels could destabilize global maritime trade and negatively impact the American economy. The draft policy, under review by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), would impose service fees on three categories of maritime operators: companies based in China, fleets primarily using Chinese-built vessels, and those with pending Chinese ship orders over the next two years. Fees range from $500,000 to $1.5 million per U.S. port entry.
Global Shipbuilding Dominance
China currently leads global shipbuilding, accounting for 55.7% of completed vessels in 2024, according to Chinese government data. USTR reports indicate China now produces over half of the world’s cargo ships by tonnage, dwarfing U.S. output, which stood at 0.01% last year. Analysts argue the policy overlooks China’s entrenched role in maritime supply chains. "Reviving American shipbuilding requires decades of subsidies to match China’s scale," said geostrategic analyst Imran Khalid.
Domestic and Global Fallout
U.S. maritime operators fear the fees could cripple domestic carriers. Seaboard Marine, a major U.S. cargo carrier, relies on China-built vessels for 66% of its fleet. CEO Edward Gonzalez warned the policy might inadvertently harm American competitiveness. Agricultural exporters also face up to $930 million in added costs annually, per the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Globally, the fees could raise container shipping rates by $600-800 per unit, as estimated by the World Shipping Council. Major firms like Maersk and MSC are already planning operational shifts to mitigate costs. MSC CEO Soren Toft projected a $20 billion industry-wide financial hit.
