15/10/2025
US–China tit-for-tat port fees just went live. What it means for your supply chain.
Both countries have started charging extra port fees on each other’s ships. China carved out exemptions (e.g., Chinese-built vessels, certain repair calls), while the U.S. offered a short deferral for some ethane/LPG charters to Dec 10. Early estimates suggest exposure touching ~11% of container ships and up to ~15% of oil-tanker capacity.
What shippers should do now
• Budget & quotes: Expect line-item pass-throughs—build them into Q4–2025/26 budgets and RFQs.
• Know your exposure: Check carrier/tonnage links (owner, flag, build). The rules target these ties, not just the trade lane. Reuters
• Contract hygiene: Add/update change-in-law and surcharge caps; clarify how/when new port fees can be billed.
• Routing options: Map alternates (carriers/flags/ports) to avoid concentrated risk; keep lead-time buffers.
• Commodity watch: Energy and COSCO-linked flows look most exposed—plan shipments and inventory accordingly.