The trade office has recommended potential fees of up to $1.5m per port call for Chinese-built vessels, $1m per port call for operators of Chinese-built ships, and mandatory US-flag shipping requirements.

Most operators in the world have in their fleet one or more ships of Chinese origin meaning that when calling at a US port, they would be subject to a port fee.

“Ultimately, there would be barriers for entry for goods from various smaller export markets.”

For example, a COSCO ship would be charged $3.5m per port call or $10.5m for each voyage involving three west coast ports. With ten 35-day voyages per year, that would translate into $105m in annual fees just for one COSCO vessel.

That is equivalent to $2,100 for the typical 40′ container moving in that lane.

“Clearly that fee would make that COSCO ship non-competitive and trade involving such a ship would be constrained,” McCown wrote.

 

Source: AirCargoWeek.com Sam Chambers