Symbol for Devine Intermodal

PORT FEES

Logo with outline for Celebrating 100 Years of Devine Intermodal Established Since 1923.

May 1, 2025 | Newsletter 2025 May

The initial volley by US Trade Representative (USTR) called for fees on Chinese-made vessels of roughly $1M per US port of call. After hearing the pleas from all facets of the industry, the USTR revised the plan to assess the tax on a per ton basis with a maximum assessment of five times per year, per vessel.

The fees will begin this year with increases each year for the next three years. The fee schedule is as follows:

 

Implementation DateChinese Vessel Owners w Chinese-Built ShipsChinese-Built ShipsChinese-Built Ships
Per TonPer TonPer Container
04/17/2025$0$0$0
10/14/2025$50$18$120
04/17/2026$80$23$153
04/17/2027$110$28$195
04/17/2028$140$33$250

 

Container vessels can range between 50,000 – 220,000 tons. As a frame of reference, a 13,000 TEU vessel has a net tonnage of more than 63,000 tons.

For Chinese-built ships not operated by a Chinese company, the fees will be the greater of a per ton or per container basis.

These fees can be averted if a vessel operator provides a ship-building order from a US shipyard. The fee waiver would be equal to the tonnage of the US-built vessel. However, if the vessel order is canceled, the fees will be collected in arrears.

COSCO and OOCL will definitely be hit harder by these fees as they both fall into the first category of Chinese-owned company operating Chinese-built ships.

Latest News

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Jan 5, 2026

As we reflect on 2025 and aspire for 2026, we want to take the opportunity thank you all. To our customers, your trust in us is never taken for granted and is always appreciated. To our drivers and partners, your commitment to safely delivering cargo shines and is...

CARB COMTEMPLATES

Jan 5, 2026

As you remember, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) withdrew its zero emissions program, ACF, and the Feds nixed CARB's companion program, ACT. We knew CARB would not go quietly into the night, and they have begun to formulate their next plan. Some of their...

HACEGABA TAKES HELM

Jan 5, 2026

Congratulations to Dr. Noel Hacegaba who was named the Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach. Mr. Hacegaba has been with the port for fifteen years, most recently as its Chief Operating Officer. He takes over from Mario Cordero who retired at the end of 2025.

CONTENTIOUS CDLs

Jan 5, 2026

There has been much back and forth on the subject of non-domiciled commercial drivers licenses (CDL) and recap is in order: September 29, 2025: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) interim final ruling went into effect requiring drivers to be...

SHE BELIEVED SHE COULD, SO SHE DID

Jan 5, 2026

SHE SAILS Kudos to CMA CGM for developing a recruitment program aptly named "She Sails" to increase the number of female seafarers in its ranks. The program has been successful, doubling the number of women working on vessels from 200 to 403 in its first year.  ...

Share This