China has announced that U.S.-flagged cargo ships built in Chinese shipyards will not be charged port fees when docking in Chinese ports, Reuters reported.
The move comes after the U.S. implemented charges in April on Chinese-built and -flagged vessels docking in American ports. China responded in early October with reciprocal fees on U.S.-owned vessels.
The introduction of Chinese fees prompted a potential escalation, with former U.S. President Donald Trump proposing 100 percent tariffs on Chinese imports starting 1 November. In response, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on 15 October that the two countries would engage in negotiations “in the coming weeks.”
Under the U.S. plan, Chinese-owned and -operated vessels are charged USD 50 (EUR 42) per net tonnage, while China’s plan imposes RMB 400 (USD 56, EUR 48) per net tonnage. Chinese authorities said that U.S.-flagged and -owned ships built by Chinese shipyards, as well as U.S.-built ships undergoing repairs in China, would not be subject to fees. The policies stipulate that vessels can only be charged at their first port of call on a single voyage, and China will collect reciprocal fees on only the first five voyages to the country each year.
Ships have already started incurring costs under the new plans. For example, the Manukai, a U.S.-built cargo ship owned by Matson and registered in Philadelphia, was reportedly charged more than USD 600,000 (EUR 514,032) when docking at Ningbo on 14 October.
The new port charges have also influenced shipping routes in Asia, with several firms reportedly adjusting schedules and transshipment plans to optimize costs.