Cosco Shipping has strongly criticized the U.S. Trade Representative’s decision to impose port docking fees on Chinese-owned ships, labeling the move as “discriminatory” and harmful to the global shipping industry.
The company warned that these measures could destabilize international supply chains and hinder fair competition. China’s Ministry of Commerce and several maritime industry groups echoed Cosco’s concerns, arguing that the fees violate World Trade Organization rules and are driven by political bias.
The updated fee proposal, although scaled back from earlier drafts, will still significantly impact Cosco and its subsidiary OOCL, which together made over 1,300 U.S. port calls in the past year.
Under the new structure, starting October 14, fees are set at $50 per net ton, meaning a typical 60,000-ton Cosco vessel would owe about $3 million per U.S. voyage. Analysts expect the Ocean Alliance, comprising Cosco, CMA CGM, and Evergreen, to adjust operations, possibly shifting more U.S.-bound routes to non-Chinese ships.
These developments follow a broader U.S. crackdown on Chinese shipping entities, including the Federal Maritime Commission’s designation of Cosco and others as “controlled carriers,” triggering heightened regulatory oversight.
Critics in China argue the U.S. is using protectionist policies to counter its declining shipbuilding industry, which they claim unfairly targets successful Chinese companies and risks inflating global shipping costs.
