US TO IMPOSE PORT SERVICE FEES ON MARITIME TRANSPORT SERVICES PROVIDED BY CHINESE SHIPPING LINES AND VESSELS

Starting October 14, 2025, the U.S. will impose port service fees on maritime transport services provided by Chinese shipping lines and vessels built in China, following a U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) investigation into China's shipbuilding dominance.

The new fees will impact all operators using Chinese-built ships at U.S. ports, but Cosco Shipping Lines and its subsidiary OOCL will be hit harder as they are Chinese-owned.

Despite the added costs, both companies emphasized their ongoing commitment to the U.S. market:

• Cosco pledged to maintain stable service and competitive pricing.
• OOCL reaffirmed its long-term presence in the U.S., aiming to protect customer interests.

The fees are part of a broader U.S. strategy to revitalize domestic shipbuilding, with a phased implementation announced in April 2025.