The China Shipowners’ Association (CSA) and the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry (CANSI) have publicly condemned the US Trade Representative’s (USTR) proposed fees on Chinese-built vessels calling at American ports, calling them discriminatory and in violation of WTO rules and US laws. The USTR’s recommendations, which include port fees of up to $1.5 million per call and mandatory US-flag shipping requirements, follow an investigation into China’s dominance in shipbuilding. The policy shift is already impacting charter markets, with Chinese-built ships becoming less attractive for long-term contracts. China’s foreign ministry warned the measures would not revive US shipbuilding, while Chinese stakeholders are considering retaliatory actions, such as taxing Boeing aircraft. Clarksons Research estimates that nearly 37,000 US port calls in 2024 could face the new fees, affecting 83% of container ships and 30% of tankers.
Many associations including the International Chamber of Shipping, World Shipping Council, and the Chamber of Marine Commerce have requested to testify in the USTR’s hearings on this issue. While the deadline has expired to request to appear, the USTR deadline for submissions is March 24, 2025.
