Three out of 10 Greek-owned commercial vessels are expected to be charged at least $1 million for each call at a US port from mid-year onward if, as is widely expected, Washington decides to impose such high fees on Chinese-built ships and companies that manage Chinese ships.
The decisions are expected on April 17, and the details on how these new fees will be implemented will be discussed in mid-May. It is still uncertain who will pay these fees, but they will most likely concern charterers and exporters, and will certainly increase transport costs.
The World Shipping Council, the International Chamber of Shipping, all major international shipowner associations, Bimco and Intertanko, the European Community Shipowners’ Association, as well as a number of US entities, such as the American Association of Port Authorities, have spoken out against such a decision. However, everyone’s common belief, even after the tariffs announced on Wednesday, is that it will be difficult to prevent such a measure.
The part of the Greek-owned fleet that is Chinese-built is estimated at about 30%, regardless of type. However, numerous Greek shipowners without any Chinese-built ships, as well as a number of owners and managers, operate many Chinese ships.