by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor

This week saw significant developments on the issue of port fees measures between the US and China.

In retaliation for the port fees rules issued by the US, China announced the implementation of similar port fees against US-linked ships. These include ships that are operated, owned, flagged and built by the US.

China’s response also applies to shipping companies with 25% or more of their shares held by US interests.

The announcement comes shortly after the US Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) confirmed its own fees targeting Chinese-built and Chinese-owned ships arriving at American ports, effective from 14 October 2025.

Analysis from the global shipping organisation BIMCO indicates that 35% of ships in the combined container, crude tanker, product tanker, and bulk fleet may be subject to additional charges when calling at US ports.

Of these, 70% are either owned or operated by Chinese entities, while 30% are constructed in China. More than half of the Chinese-built vessels are exempt due to their size or US ownership.

In the meantime, the 2025 data from the US Bureau of Transportation Statistics shows that commercial ships carrying the US flag are only 188, which is approximately 0.4% of the global fleet.

In April 2025, the White House commented that the US "constructs less than one percent of commercial ships globally, while the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is responsible for producing approximately half."

In its latest report, Linerlytica estimates that if China and the US strictly apply the fees, carriers could face up to USD 3.9 billion in the first year for calling at Chinese ports, compared to USD 1.2 billion that Chinese operators would pay for calling at US ports starting from 14 October.

Container carriers most affected

Uncertainty remains regarding the impact of China’s new fees on the global boxship fleet, specifically.

However, according to Danish media ShippingWatch, Maersk’s US subsidiary, Maersk Line Limited, could be among the most affected lines.

Speaking to ShippingWatch, Maersk commented, “We have noted the Chinese initiative taking effect on Oct. 14 and are currently assessing its potential impact on our services calling at ports in China."

Maersk Line Limited is recognised as the largest owner and operator of US-flagged ships engaged in global trade, with 23 vessels listed under the US flag.

Other carriers that could face hefty fees are the US-based shipping company Matson and CMA-CGM's US-based American President Lines (APL).

Matson, which states on its website that its ships, assets, and operations are U.S.-built, U.S.-crewed, and U.S.-operated, mentioned that it is subject to the new China port fees and has no plans to change its service schedule.

Matson has over 20 ships, featuring purpose-built containerships, as well as combination container and roll-on/roll-off vessels, and specially designed container barges.

Meanwhile, APL offers five weekly US Flag services, linking North America to Asia and Europe, as well as feeder routes within the Middle East.

According to its website, the company operates more than 153 container vessels and a US-flagged fleet of 10 ships.