World Shipping Council CEO on trade war, port fees & the future of container shipping

In this exclusive Freight Buyers’ Club interview, World Shipping Council CEO & President Joe Kramek unpacks the impact of the U.S. port fees on China-built vessels, why the policy may backfire on U.S. exporters and manufacturers, and how it blindsided vehicle carriers.

We also explore the bigger picture: the ongoing trade disruptions, their impact on container shipping, and what a comprehensive, long-term U.S. shipbuilding strategy might look like. Plus, what the historic IMO emissions deal really means for freight buyers — and why global rules beat a patchwork of regional ones.

This episode was produced with the support of Ontegos Cloud.

Topics covered:

• U.S. policy on shipbuilding and China

• Why new port fees may harm U.S. interests

• The surprise hit to vehicle carriers

• Supply chain impacts of geopolitical instability

• Green fuel rules from 2028 & the cost for shippers

• What a real U.S. maritime industrial strategy could look like

• What’s next from the WSC in Washington and at the IMO