- CSIS report says business is largely unaffected by U.S. port fee policies.
- China captured 53% of global ship orders in the first eight months of 2025.
- Shipowners rushed to sign contracts in 2024 before USTR restrictions.
Global shipping companies are still placing hefty orders with Chinese shipyards, even in the face of new U.S. port fees designed to limit China’s maritime influence, as highlighted in a recent report from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). According to the CSIS analysis of S&P Global data, Chinese shipyards captured 53% of global ship orders by tonnage during the first eight months of 2025, matching the total for all of 2023, reports Reuters.
Business as Usual Despite U.S. Measures
“Shipping companies are largely moving forward with business as usual,” said Brian Hart, a fellow with the China Power Project at CSIS and an author of the report. “So far, it doesn’t look like these policies will achieve a significant shift away from China.”
Surge in 2024 Orders Ahead of USTR Restrictions
China’s share of global ship orders by tonnage skyrocketed to 73% in 2024, as shipowners hurried to lock in contracts before any potential restrictions kicked in. Starting October 14, vessels built in China or operated by Chinese companies will incur a U.S. port fee upon their first arrival, with costs that could top $1 million for large container ships. These fees are expected to increase annually until 2028.
U.S. Push to Revive Domestic Shipbuilding
This port fee initiative is part of a larger strategy by Washington to breathe new life into its domestic shipbuilding industry and counter China’s maritime ascent. However, the U.S. shipbuilding sector is still far behind China. In 2024, U.S. shipyards managed to build fewer than 10 commercial ships, while their Chinese counterparts churned out over 1,000. Additionally, China’s largest shipyards cater to both commercial and military demands, further cementing its global leadership.
Impact on Global Shipping Giants
According to a report from CSIS, MSC, which holds the title of the world’s largest containership operator, has placed an order for 12 vessels from Chinese shipyards following the announcement of new port fees by the USTR in April. Other significant players in the industry, like Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, and CMA CGM, have been moving their China-linked vessels away from U.S. trade routes to dodge or lessen the impact of these fees. Analysts at HSBC predict that COSCO Shipping, the state-owned carrier from China, might be staring down port fees as high as $1.5 billion by 2026.
Trump’s Support for U.S. Shipyards
Former President Donald Trump has been a strong advocate for American shipbuilders, actively encouraging partnerships and investments from leading shipbuilding countries like South Korea to enhance the capabilities of U.S. shipyards.
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Source: Reuters
