Under new Trump administration guidelines, Chinese-built supertankers delivering oil to the United States could soon pay up to $5.2 million per port call.
The policy, designed to boost American shipbuilding and reduce reliance on China, could intensify trade tensions between the two global powers.
A recent analysis from Arrow Shipbroking Group revealed that supertankers made in China but owned or operated by non-Chinese firms would be charged nearly $1.9 million per US port visit.
The crude oil tanker New Odyssey arrives at the port in Qingdao, China, on April 15, 2025.
AFP via Getty Images
However, vessels directly owned or operated by Chinese companies would face even steeper charges — around $5.2 million per visit, according to Arrow’s dated April 18. report.
Earlier versions of the US proposal had suggested a cap of $3.5 million per port call.
This sharp increase stems from a change in how the fees are calculated. Rather than applying a flat rate per visit, the updated formula uses net registered tonnage (NRT) — a measure of cargo capacity — to determine the fee.
Starting in mid-October, the fee for Chinese-built but non-Chinese-operated ships will be set at $18 per NRT. For Chinese-owned or operated vessels, the rate jumps to $50 per NRT.
This change will significantly increase costs for larger ships, especially very large crude carriers (VLCCs) and similar-sized tankers. Smaller vessels, like aframax tankers, will feel a lesser impact.
The “New Honor” crude oil tanker is moored in the Port of Long Beach, Calif., on April 15.
AP
Arrow’s research also noted that Chinese-linked product tankers could see port fees ranging from $575,000 to $1.2 million per visit.
Exemptions Could Soften the Blow
Despite the hefty numbers, some analysts believe the final rules might not be as harsh as originally feared, thanks to exemptions and carve-outs introduced alongside the policy.
“All in all, the new levies are seen as less severe than before, after taking into account carve-outs and exemptions,” Arrow stated.
Still, the firm emphasized that the financial burden remains high, especially for Chinese shippers.
In this file photo provided by the US Navy, the Liberian-flagged oil tanker “MV Sirius Star” is at anchor in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia in November 2008.
AP
South Korea’s Edge and Future Impact
The global tanker fleet is largely South Korean-built, which could reduce the broader impact of this policy. According to Clarkson’s Research, China-built tankers account for only about half the number of South Korean-built ones.
Even so, analysts warn the new fees could pressure Chinese shipbuilders and shipping firms to reevaluate their strategies amid escalating geopolitical tensions.
This move is the latest in a broader effort by Washington to counter China’s dominance in shipbuilding and manufacturing through targeted economic policies.
The revised fees align with the US goal of reducing dependence on Chinese-built assets and strengthening domestic and allied shipbuilding.
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