Atlantic Container Line (ACL) is assessing its next steps after the US Trade Representative (USTR) classified its China-built con-ro vessels as vehicle carriers. This decision could cost the carrier up to $35 million annually in new US port fees. CEO Andrew Abbott said ACL is “reviewing all options,” including reducing U.S. port calls, redirecting traffic to Canada or Mexico, swapping vessels within the parent company Grimaldi Group, or passing costs on to customers. The classification subjects ACL’s five hybrid container/ro-ro ships to a $46-per-net-ton fee, capped at five annual US calls per vessel, about $1.4 million each per call. Abbott argued the ships should be treated as container vessels, noting that 80% of their cargo is containerized. The company and its customers, he said, are “incredulous” over the new charges, which come amid wider trade tensions and rising costs for US importers.
