Global shipping giants Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have diverted two US-flagged vessels away from Chinese ports following the introduction of Beijing’s new “Special Port Fees” targeting ships linked to the United States.
The move comes after China’s Ministry of Transport announced on October 10 that additional charges would apply to vessels built, flagged, owned, or operated by US entities calling at Chinese ports. The regulation, which took effect on October 14, is widely seen as a retaliatory measure amid escalating trade tensions between the two countries.
Industry sources said Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd opted to reroute the affected ships to alternative Asian ports to avoid the fees and potential delays. The carriers are reportedly assessing the broader operational and commercial implications of the new policy on their regional networks.
The decision underscores growing uncertainty in US-China maritime trade, with operators now weighing the cost impact and compliance risks of the new charges. BIMCO has already announced plans to develop a standard contractual clause to help shipowners manage such fees more transparently in future charter agreements.
