US maritime policy | Supply Chain and Logistics

China is taking preemptive action against the US’s plans to hike port fees for China-linked tonnage. The port fees are scheduled to come into effect on October 14, but there haven’t been any administrative rules set yet.

So we don’t know how, or if, they will be collected.

Quite a few experts believe that there won’t ever be any. The box-booking platform Freightos is one source mentioned in the article. Trump has a history of putting penalties out there and giving way in negotiations just before they will go into effect. It’s known as the Trump Always Chickens Out (TACO) effect.

I agree that we may never see any container ship fees. But I am also wary of what Trump may be giving away in the negotiations with China.

And I think history tells us that we will see severe blowback in terms of various trade restraints placed by foreign nations. These will hurt American businesses.

Sam Chambers September 30, 2025

https://splash247.com/china-prepares-retaliation-playbook-ahead-of-us-port-fee-deadline/

China prepares retaliation playbook ahead of US port fee deadline

It’s about time for some agency to look at flags of convenience. Some states are abetting sanctioned trade, and quite a few do not have the means or intent to enforce regulations for safety, environmental, and labor standards. It’s increasing risk for marine traffic and for mariners.

The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) may not be the best positioned for this investigation right now. The US government has shown that it may use its powers to punish views of other nations, rather than in the interest of collaboration on mutual goals. And the US has withdrawn from some international agencies and agreements, showing a lack of collaboration. Recently the US State Department has threatened the International Maritime Organization (IMO) over its push to impose greenhouse gas emission controls and standards on international shipping.

These actions reduce the effect of any unilateral action by the US. It’s likely they will be ignored. That is something the current US administration will not like, but it’s inevitable.

Let’s hope the FMC figures out real actions that will help flag states increase compliance with international shipping standards.

Barry Parker, New York Correspondent

September 3, 2025

https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/regulations/federal-maritime-commission-investigating-flags-of-convenience

Nick Savvides, Europe correspondent

September 4, 2025

https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/regulations/imo-member-states-tire-of-us-threats-over-climate-rules

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