Global maritime transport is facing a transformation. The shipping route changes stem from the entry into force, in October 2025, of a new tariff scheme that the United States will apply to vessels linked to China.
A tariff that redefines maritime transport
According to the U.S. Trade Representative, the tariffs will be administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through a portal on Pay.gov. The measure applies to ships built in China as well as vessels owned or operated by Chinese companies, regardless of flag.
The tariff plan will be implemented in phases:
- Phase I (2025–2028):
- Chinese-owned or -operated vessels: initial fee of $50 per net ton, rising to $140 over three years.
- Vessels built in China (owned by foreign carriers): $18 per net ton or $120 per container discharged, whichever is higher. Amounts will rise to $33 per net ton and $250 per container by 2028.
- Foreign car carriers: $150 per capacity unit.
- Phase II (from 2028):
Restrictions on the transport of liquefied natural gas (LNG), which must be carried on U.S.-built vessels.
Noncompliance will result in a ban on operating in U.S. ports.
Reactions from major shipping lines
The entry into force of the new tariffs is already beginning to provoke shipping route changes. The Premier Alliance — composed by HMM, ONE, and Yang Ming — decided to split its Mediterranean–South Pacific route into two services, which involved withdrawing ten China-built vessels from itineraries to the United States.
Similarly, Orient Overseas (International) Ltd (OOIL), parent company of OOCL, admitted that the impact of the measure will be “relatively large.” Both the company and its parent COSCO have chosen to divert part of their traffic to Mexico, avoiding U.S. ports.
Meanwhile, Maersk announced it will exclude all China-built ships from its U.S. operations, anticipating that other carriers could follow the same strategy. These decisions reflect the urgency for companies to reduce exposure and adapt to a scheme that threatens to raise operational costs.
National security vs. economic impact
Donald Trump’s administration argues that the tariffs will reduce dependence on Chinese shipbuilding, strengthen maritime security, and create incentives to build vessels in the United States.
However, critics warn that the shipping route changes will bring side effects: higher consumer prices, disadvantages for smaller ports, and possible disruptions to the global supply chain. Trump has suggested that tariff hikes could be suspended at some point, though analysts consider a full reversal unlikely within the framework of the trade war with China.
The shipping route changes illustrate how U.S. trade policy directly impacts global maritime transport. While Washington seeks security and sovereignty, carriers are adjusting operations and international trade faces an uncertain future.
You might also be interested in: New China – Mexico maritime route boosts trade with Asia
Sources
Coffee, E., & Henderson, N. (2025, 29 abril). US port fees for Chinese vessels: what they mean in practice. Gard. https://gard.no/insights/us-port-fees-for-chinese-vessels-what-they-mean-in-practice/
Magramo, K. (2025, 18 abril). EE.UU. anuncia planes para cobrar tasas a los barcos chinos que atraquen en puertos estadounidenses. CNN Español. https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2025/04/18/economia/ee-uu-aranceles-barcos-chinos-puertos-estadounidenses-trax
Ojeda, E., & Ojeda, E. (2025, 2 septiembre). Navieras redirigen sus rutas ante nuevas tarifas de EE. UU. a buques vinculados a China. ComexLatam – Experiencia y compromiso pensando en el sector. https://www.comexlatam.com/navieras-redirigen-sus-rutas-ante-nuevas-tarifas-de-ee-uu-a-buques-vinculados-a-china/
