Officials from a major trade agency have introduced a proposal that could dramatically increase operating costs for shipping companies using the nation’s ports. The new measures, detailed in an official government register, outline fees as high as $1.5 million per port call for vessels constructed overseas and $500,000 for any operator with even one foreign-built ship in their fleet or with pending orders from an overseas shipyard.
Operators based in certain foreign markets could see charges of up to $1 million per call. The proposed fees are expected to ripple through the global maritime supply chain serving one of the world’s largest markets. Given the intricate network of service routes, berth arrangements, and vessel-sharing agreements, carriers are anticipated to transfer these added expenses to shippers through surcharges and elevated shipping rates, ultimately resulting in higher prices for imported goods.
In addition to the fee structure, the proposal introduces preference rules that would require export cargo to be transported exclusively on vessels registered and crewed domestically. This policy follows an earlier investigation that identified practices by some foreign competitors as unfair in the global shipping and shipbuilding sectors.
The final decision on whether to implement these fees lies with the nation’s top executive official. Public feedback on the proposal is being accepted until late March, culminating in a scheduled public hearing. Industry analysts estimate that roughly 17% of the container vessels calling on these ports are built overseas, accounting for a significant share of the total imported cargo measured in twenty-foot equivalent units.
