Washington is criticized by Hong Kong for charging port fees to Chinese ships that dock in the US.
Government condemns ‘bullying acts’ after Trump’s administration announces fees on vessels owned, operated or constructed by Chinese companies
Hong Kong authorities have condemned the US’ imposition of port fees on Chinese vessels docking in the country, calling the actions “blatantly discriminatory” and “deliberately dividing the international maritime community”.
The government on Friday night hit out at new port fees announced by US President Donald Trump administration’s on vessels owned, operated or constructed by Chinese companies. He earlier said the move was part of efforts to revive the American shipbuilding industry.
“The US measures are blatantly discriminatory, deliberately dividing the international maritime community and undermining the spirit of solidarity and cooperation built over the years,” a Hong Kong spokesman said. “Such actions fall short of the basic standards of international conduct.”
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The spokesman said authorities condemned such “bullying acts” and emphasised that Hong Kong would continue to uphold the spirit of openness and cooperation, working with global maritime partners to safeguard free-trade principles and promote the healthy development of the international shipping industry.
He added that only by adhering to fairness and justice, mutual benefits and win-win cooperation could the common interests of the global maritime community be protected.
The Trump administration on Thursday finalised the port fees, targeting all Chinese-owned, operated and built ships docking in the US.
Chinese operators and shipowners have to pay US$50 per net ton for vessels entering US ports from October 14. The fee will increase annually to US$140 by April 2028 and apply regardless of where the ships are built.
The port fee is lower for Chinese-built vessels – starting at US$18 per net ton or US$120 per container from October 14. This will gradually increase to US$33 per net ton or US$250 per container by April 2028.
The fees will be charged up to five times per year for each vessel and will be assessed at the first US port of entry, in a bid to prevent ships from bypassing smaller ports within the country, according to the United States Trade Representative office.
The fee on Chinese-built ships could be waived if the operator orders a US-built vessel equivalent in size.
The Post earlier reported that some Hong Kong-based shipowners were looking to navigate the escalating trade war between China and US by changing their vessels’ registration flags to jurisdictions with fewer geopolitical risks such as Panama and Liberia.
The Transport and Logistics Bureau said ship registrations with the Hong Kong Shipping Registry remained “solid, strong and stable”.
