Port fees skyrocket amidst US-China trade tensions

According to the BBC and many other publications US-China trade tensions are back as port fees take effect. The BBC says, “The US and China started charging new port fees on each other's ships on Tuesday, as trade tensions between the world's two biggest economies increase,” and it also reports, “Ships carrying dry bulk cargoes like coal and other raw materials could have to pay up to $3m in port fees from today, said freight analyst Claire Chong. By 2028, some the biggest vessels that carry nearly 200,000 tons in dry bulk could have to pay more than $10m in fees, she estimates.”

Pole Star Global (maritime intelligence technology) offers vessel tracking and can provide the location of the ships in real-time, along with other appropriate information.

In response to this news, Saleem Khan, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Pole Star Global has this initial comment and data to share. If you’d like to speak further with him for comment, or to source a set of customized data, let us know. For now, comment follows and two tables. If you use the data, please would you credit Pole Star Global.

Saleem Khan, Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Pole Star Global says:

“We are seeing Chinese vessels that are being screened by our customers nearing zero. This is a concerning drop from the number we saw in January 2025, where 1,678 Chinese vessels entered the US and were screened by our customers.

“As you can see with Pole Star data, the new port-fees have already started to change behavior in the shipping market. In the short term we should expect route changes, void sailings, and noticeable upward pressure on freight rates as carriers implement surcharges or GRIs (General Rate Increases) to pass the cost to shippers."