Increase in maritime transport tariffs: China responds to the United States with a special port tax - “If it's a fight, we'll fight to the end; if it's a negotiation, our door remains open.”
- Gabriele Iuvinale
- 14 ott
- Tempo di lettura: 5 min
The escalation of restrictive measures in the maritime sector between the People's Republic of China and the United States of America is a clear indicator of growing global geopolitical and commercial tensions. The recent decision by Beijing to impose a Special Port Fee on US vessels, effective from October 14, 2025, is not an isolated move, but a direct and calibrated countermeasure to the tariffs and restrictions that Washington had previously imposed against the Chinese shipping and shipbuilding industries.
This tariff clash does not just concern the flow of goods or berthing costs, but is part of a broader Chinese strategy aimed at controlling the global supply chain and exercising powerful geopolitical leverage.
1. Summary of the Maritime Tariff Conflict
The heart of the tension lies in the action by the United States to implement port fees and other restrictive measures on the Chinese maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. These actions, formalized on October 14, 2025, based on the results of the so-called 301 investigation, were immediately condemned by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson as acts of typical unilateralism and protectionism. Beijing emphasized that these restrictions severely violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and contravene the principle of equality and reciprocity enshrined in the China-US Maritime Transport Agreement, constituting discriminatory practices that seriously harm the interests of relevant Chinese industries.
The Chinese Counter-Response: The Special Port Fee
In response, China announced on October 10th its intention to charge a special port fee on vessels involving US elements, such as US flag, US-built, US company ownership, shareholding, or operation. The Ministry of Transport then implemented the "Implementation Measures for the Collection of Special Port Fees from US Vessels."This measure is effective from the date of its issuance, October 14, 2025.
Scope of Application and Collection: The fee applies to vessels engaged in international maritime transport and calling at Chinese ports that meet one of the following conditions:
Ownership Criteria: Vessels where US enterprises, other organizations, or individuals hold the ship ownership12.
Operation Criteria: Vessels operated by US enterprises, other organizations, or individuals.
US Equity Stake: Vessels owned or operated by enterprises or other organizations where US enterprises, other organizations, or individuals directly or indirectly hold 25% or more of the equity (voting rights, board seats).
Flag: Vessels flying the US flag.
Construction: Vessels built in the United States.
Fee Standard: Starting from October 14, 2025, the specific tariff is set at 400 RMB (Yuan) per net ton. Less than 1 net ton is counted as 1 net ton.
Exemptions: Exemptions include vessels built in China that fall under the first four criteria, empty vessels only entering Chinese shipyards for repair, and other vessels recognized for exemption19.
Dynamic Adjustment and Related Investigations: The Measures explicitly state that the scope of collection, the standard, and the starting and ending times will be subject to dynamic adjustments as deemed necessary. Additionally, to safeguard its own industrial interests, China's relevant departments have launched an investigation into behavior by the US and some countries and enterprises that harms the safety and development interests of China's shipping, shipbuilding, and related industries. This investigation is based on laws including the "National Security Law," the "Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law," and the "International Maritime Transport Regulations." The investigation also targets entities that have assisted or supported the US investigation and may be placed on a countermeasure list.
US Tariffs on Chinese Vessels
The Chinese response was triggered by US measures, which impose high tariffs on vessels with Chinese elements , in an attempt to revive its own shipbuilding industry. The tariffs applied by the US to counter China's maritime dominance include a progressive cost increase:
Chinese-Owned or Operated Vessels: Starting at $50 per net ton in 2025 , rising to $140 per net ton by 2028. Charged up to five times annually per vessel.
Chinese-Built Vessels: The tariff is set, at the higher of, $18 per net ton or $120 per container in 2025, rising to $33 per net ton or $250 per container by 2028.
2. China's Port Dominance and Geopolitical Leverage
China's ability to respond with such a decisive countermeasure is inextricably linked to its established strategy of global maritime logistics control. China has built a vast global logistics web based on port ownership, equipment supply, and strategic investments34, which extends far beyond simple trade.
The Infrastructure of Power
According to recent estimates, China directly owns or holds majority control in 17 foreign ports globally. China's broader presence is much wider, with 129 port projects worldwide involving Chinese investment, construction, or operational control. 115 of these are active, covering all continents except Antarctica. These investments are often carried out through state-owned enterprises such as COSCO (China Ocean Shipping Company), one of the world's largest shipping and logistics conglomerates, operating over 1,300 vessels and serving more than 160 countries and ports worldwide.
Strategic Hubs: COSCO's investments, often through its subsidiary COSCO Shipping Ports, include majority stakes or long-term operating leases in key choke points and trade corridors. Prime examples include the port of Piraeus in Greece, where COSCO holds a majority stake and manages the port, and Chancay in Peru, where COSCO holds a 60% stake with exclusive usage rights for 60 years. Other strategically relevant locations include Djibouti in East Africa and Haifa in Israel, with Zeebrugge in Belgium being part of China's Belt and Road "dragon head" in Europe.
Logistical and Strategic Advantage: The strategy combines economic leverage with geopolitical positioning. The control of this port network allows China to influence port scheduling, container prioritization, and infrastructure upgrades, giving it significant leverage over global logistics. This dominance not only simplifies logistics for Chinese exports and imports, creating more predictable and efficient routes, but also offers the ability to circumvent choke points or politically sensitive regions by using friendly ports in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
US Reactivity and the Stakes
Unlike China's expansive global port investments, the United States does not own or operate any major ports abroad. This makes Washington more reactive than proactive in port infrastructure. The US has responded by tightening scrutiny on foreign ownership of critical infrastructure, especially ports, under CFIUS (Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States) and pushing for Western firms to buy back Chinese stakes and reduce reliance on Chinese cranes and shipping routes.
The US tariffs aim to increase costs for shippers and force companies to reroute or change flags. However, the Chinese move to impose its own port fee in response to US protectionism has the immediate effect of increasing international trade costs and is projected to drive up US domestic inflation, damaging US port competitiveness and employment.
3. Conclusion
The current maritime confrontation is a perfect example of how international trade has become volatile and vulnerable to geopolitical maneuvers. China, through its leadership in the strategic construction and control of global ports, has demonstrated a formidable capacity for counterattact. Its countermeasures are not solely defensive; they are designed to maximize the costs of US protectionist policies. Beijing's stance is clear: "fight, we will accompany to the end; talk, the door is wide open." China urges the US to correct its wrong practices and resolve mutual concerns through equal dialogue and consultation. The future of global maritime transport and supply chains will depend on the outcome of this contest, which views dominance over global logistics as the primary battleground.
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