US tariffs on Chinese-built boxships to cost shippers millions

Netherlands-based consultancy Dynaliners estimates the cost of the charges that are proposed on Chinese-built ships calling at US ports could be as much as US$500 million at just one port.

US Trade Representative’s office, responding to complaints about the loss of jobs to China from US trade unions, is proposing charges of up to US$1.5 million per ship, per port call on Chinese-built vessels in order to stimulate growth in US shipbuilding and to shift China’s stranglehold on the shipbuilding industry.