Washington — In a bold move to reduce China’s maritime edge and resuscitate its own shipbuilding industry, the US has unveiled a new policy that will impose significant port fees on vessels owned or built in China. The strategy, which will roll out in mid-October, introduces a $50-per-ton cargo charge on Chinese vessels, with incremental hikes scheduled over the next three years.
The plan, announced by the United States Trade Representative (USTR), directly targets what it calls China’s “achieved dominance goals” in the global shipbuilding sector — a dominance seen as detrimental to US companies and labor competitiveness. The policy represents another chapter in Washington’s effort to curb Chinese industrial advantages following a broader wave of tariffs spearheaded by President Donald Trump.
Under the scheme, US port fees on Chinese ships will vary based on ship type and cargo. Bulk vessels will be charged by tonnage, container ships by the number of containers, and car carriers by vehicle count — set at $150 per vehicle. For Chinese-built ships, fees begin at $18 per ton or $120 per container and will rise annually.
To prevent overburdening global logistics, the USTR has capped the fee to five voyages per year per ship. Several exemptions apply, including empty vessels coming to pick up exports like coal or grain, as well as domestic ships serving US ports and territories.
The original draft floated earlier this year had proposed fees as high as $1.5 million per port visit for Chinese vessels, sparking global industry concern. The finalized version is significantly more restrained — a calculated effort to challenge China’s dominance without triggering immediate trade upheaval.
China’s foreign ministry quickly condemned the policy, stating that it would raise costs for US consumers and fail to rejuvenate the domestic shipbuilding sector. Critics argue the fees could further strain already volatile supply chains.
Nonetheless, Washington is signaling that it’s willing to test new levers in strategic competition with China — and maritime power is clearly back on the economic battleground.
By narrowing the cost gap and creating structural disincentives for foreign reliance, the US port fees on Chinese ships could reshape the dynamics of global logistics, if implemented with discipline and long-term vision.
