London Maritime Academy is a trade name for London Premier Group
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10/15/2025, 8:46:11 PM
As trade tensions rise between the two largest economies in the world, the United States and China began imposing additional port fees on each other's ships yesterday, on Tuesday.
China claims that its levies, which apply to US-owned, operated, built, or registered vessels but not Chinese-made ships, are intended to protect the nation's shipping sector from “discriminatory” practices.
Washington alleges the US levies tolls on Chinese ships to help American maritime companies, and this is payback.
Last week, Beijing announced the taxes along with steps to strengthen export controls for rare earths. The US president, Donald Trump, retaliated by threatening to impose another 100% tariff on China.
On Tuesday, the United States also imposed fresh taxes on imported wood, kitchen cabinets, and upholstered furniture, a large portion of which is sourced from China.
In an attempt to defuse trade concerns, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on Monday that Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are still scheduled to meet in South Korea in late October.
Notably, Bessent stated that the 100% tariff is not necessary and that the relationship is good, with communication reopening.
Likewise, China's commerce ministry spokesperson stated that the country is committed to fighting and openly welcomes talks in any conflict.
Moreover, the US has criticised China for imposing new restrictive measures with threats and intimidation, stating that this is not the appropriate approach to engage with the country.
Chinese state media accuses US duties on Chinese ships of violating a maritime transport agreement, resulting in increased charges for US-linked ships berthing at Chinese ports.
The duties on US ships, operated by US firms and those with a 25% or more American stake, will be closely tied to port fees imposed by Washington, with annual fees reaching 1,120 yuan per tonne in April 2028.
The Maritime Training Courses will cover port fees, cost-based, performance-based, and value-based pricing schemes, as well as factors impacting tariffs such as vessel type, size, and environmental performance. Explore port management programmes and maritime economics courses.
Besides, freight analyst Claire Chong predicts that ships carrying dry bulk cargoes, such as coal and raw materials, could face up to $3 million in port fees from today. By 2028, some of the largest vessels carrying nearly 200,000 tonnes could pay over $10m in fees.
Shipbroker Thurlestone Shipping reports significant industry costs due to new port fees. However, an exemption for Chinese-built vessels, which make up nearly half of the global dry bulk fleet, could mitigate some of these impacts.
Furthermore, Beijing has added five US subsidiaries of South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean to its sanction list, escalating tensions with Washington despite a tariff truce agreed upon earlier this year.
In May, the US and China agreed to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other's goods, causing a potential trade halt. This resulted in an additional 30% levy on US tariffs on Chinese goods and a 10% tariff on US goods entering China.
