12th April 2025 – 18th April 2025
LOCAL NEWS
No news reported.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. Trump trade official unleashes port fees that stretch beyond Chinese-linked ships
On Thursday, 17th April 2025, the US Federal Register notice posted by the US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer unveiled USTR’s long-anticipated port fees, which go beyond the expected penalties on Chinese-linked ships.
The top trade ambassador for US President Donald Trump also imposed port fees on car carriers built anywhere outside the US. His decision also imposes eventual restrictions on foreign-built LNG carriers.
The announcement can be read in its entirety below:
301 Ships - Action FRN 4-17.pdf
The announcement came after a United States Trade Representative investigation by the Biden-Trump administrations found China’s acts, policies and practices were unreasonable and burden or restrict U.S. commerce.
According to Reuters, the latest announcement backtracks from proposals floated in February to charge China-built ships of up to $1.5 million per port call, which had at the time prompted a widespread industry backlash.
Trade law sources said that the actions do not require approval by the US President.
The fees will be applied once each voyage (and not per port, as originally contemplated) on affected ships a maximum of five times a year.
Vessel owners could be eligible for a remission of the fees if they can provide proof of a U.S. shipbuilding order. The remission of the fee would be based on a net tonnage capacity of equal to or less than the U.S. built vessel ordered. “If a prospective vessel owner does not take delivery of the U.S.-built vessel ordered within three years, the fees will become due immediately,” the report read.
For the first 180 days, the fees would be set at zero and are broken down into various categories. All charges are based on the net tonnage of a vessel. Container vessels can range from 50,000 to 220,000 tons.
As can be seen in Annex I of the Notice, Service Fee on Chinese Vessel Operators and Vessel Owners of China:
- Effective as of April 17, 2025, a fee in the amount of $0 per net ton for the arriving vessel.
- Effective as of October 14, 2025, a fee in the amount of $50 per net ton for the arriving vessel.
- Effective as of April 17, 2026, a fee in the amount of $80 per net ton for the arriving vessel.
- Effective as of April 17, 2027, a fee in the amount of $110 per net ton for the arriving vessel.
- Effective as of April 17, 2028, a fee in the amount of $140 per net ton for the arriving vessel.
The fee will be charged up to five times per year, per vessel. For each vessel built at a Chinese shipyard, a fee is levied per net tonne or per container, whichever is higher. The fees start at $18 per net tonne, rising to $33 in 2028. The alternative is a fee of $120 per container, rising to $250 in 2028.
According to Annex II of the Notice, Service fees on vessel operators of Chinese-Built vessels are lower.
- Effective as of: April 17, 2025, a fee in the amount of $0 for each container discharged.
- Effective as of October 14, 2025, a fee in the amount of $18 per net ton ($120 per container)
- Effective as of April 17, 2026, a fee in the amount of $23 per net ton ($153 per container)
- Effective as of April 17, 2027, a fee in the amount of $28 per net ton ($195 per container)
- Effective as of April 17, 2028, a fee in the amount of $33 per net ton ($250 per container).
Fees on foreign-built car carrier vessels will also be based on their capacity. The fee would start at $150 per Car Equivalent Unit (CEU) in 180 days.
The second phase actions will not begin for three years and would target LNG vessels. The USTR would limit restrictions on transporting LNG via foreign vessels. As evidenced in Annex IV of the Notice, the fee will increase incrementally, with the level starting at 1% in 2030, rising to 15% in 2047.
According to the Federal Register, LNG projects could lose their export authorisations if the requirements are not met.
Operators of foreign-built LNG carriers can receive an exemption for three years if they order a US-built ship.
Ocean carriers if they provide proof of ordering a U.S.-built vessel, the fees or restrictions on an equivalent non-U.S.-built vessel are suspended for up to three years.·
Fees on Chinese-built ships effectively do not cover Great Lakes or Caribbean shipping, shipping to and from U.S. territories.
Bulk exports like coal or grain will be exempt, along with empty ships arriving at the ports.
Executives of global container ship operators, which visit multiple ports during each sailing to the United States, had warned the fees would quickly pile up.
Related Articles:
Reuters 18/04 - United States eases port fees on China-built ships after industry backlash
CNN Business 18/04 - US announces plans to charge fees on Chinese ships docking at US ports
Attachment 1: TradeWinds 18/04 - Trump trade official unleashes port fees that stretch beyond Chinese-linked ships
CNBC 18/04 - Trump administration announces fees on Chinese ships docking at U.S. ports
BBC 18/04 - US lays out plans to hit Chinese ships with port fees
Splash247 18/03 - US unveils much-anticipated port call fees
Ship&Bunker 18/04 - US Softens Port Fee Stance on Chinese Vessels Amid Industry Pressure
2. US TREASURY REPORT
The US Treasury Report for all actions reported is hereby attached.
Related Article:
Attachment 2: US Treasury Report for week 12/04/2025 – 18/04/2025
3. PIRACY REPORT
The Piracy Report for all actions reported is hereby attached.
Related Article:
Attachment 3: Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Report, for the period between 12/03/2025 – 09/04/2025
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