The administration of Donald Trump has unveiled a sweeping America’s Maritime Action Plan (MAP) that includes a proposal to impose a universal levy on all foreign-built commercial vessels calling at U.S. ports, according to a report by World Cargo News.
The proposed measure would introduce what officials describe as an “infrastructure and security fee” on ships constructed outside the United States, with charges potentially calculated based on cargo weight or vessel capacity. The levy is designed to generate significant revenue to support domestic shipbuilding, maritime workforce development and port infrastructure upgrades.
Under the plan, funds raised through the fee would be channelled into initiatives aimed at revitalising the U.S. maritime industrial base, strengthening supply chain resilience and enhancing national security. The administration argues that the move is necessary to counter the dominance of Asian shipbuilding nations and to rebuild U.S. commercial ship construction capacity, which currently represents a small fraction of global output.
However, the proposal has sparked concern across the international shipping industry. Industry bodies have warned that a blanket charge on foreign-built vessels — irrespective of flag or ownership — could increase transport costs, disrupt established trade flows and ultimately impact importers, exporters and consumers.
Shipping stakeholders broadly support efforts to strengthen U.S. shipbuilding capabilities, but many caution that a universal levy could have unintended consequences for global trade competitiveness and port operations.
The Maritime Action Plan is expected to undergo further policy and legislative review, with industry consultations likely as the proposal advances.
