BIMCO has announced plans to develop a new standard clause to address China’s recently introduced “Special Port Fees” imposed on US-related vessels calling at Chinese ports.
China’s Ministry of Transport announced the fees on October 10, which came into effect four days later. The charges apply to ships that are US-built, US-flagged, or owned or operated by US entities. The move marks the latest escalation in the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China, which have increasingly extended into the maritime sector.
“Our industry is navigating escalating geopolitical uncertainty and trade restrictions. To help reduce the contractual uncertainty, we are developing a new clause addressing the Chinese fees, just as we responded to the need for a clause addressing the United States Trade Representative’s fees on Chinese-related ships earlier this year,” said BIMCO Secretary General and CEO David Loosley.
In June 2025, BIMCO introduced a standard clause addressing the USTR-imposed fees on China-related vessels, which was adopted by its documentary committee the following month.
The association said a subcommittee of legal and commercial experts has now been formed to draft the new clause, with the process being treated as a high priority. “Following the development of our USTR Clause for Time Charter Parties, we are now receiving enquiries for a clause addressing the new Chinese port fees. To respond quickly, our expedited procedure will be applied which enables the documentary committee to act with urgency,” said Stinne Taiger Ivø, BIMCO’s Deputy Secretary General and Director of Contracts.
The new clause is expected to provide clarity and consistency for charterers and owners facing additional costs and complexities as geopolitical tensions continue to shape global shipping operations.
