**Global shipping markets**: The SHIPS for America Act and USTR’s regulatory proposals introduce fresh fees tied to reliance on Chinese shipyards, complicating freight cost management. These changes threaten service reliability, push shippers toward higher surcharges, and may upend supply chains across multiple sectors in 2025.
Navigating the Storm: How New Maritime Regulations and Fees are Reshaping Shipping Costs in 2025
In 2025, ocean container shippers are facing a tumultuous landscape, exacerbated by a host of new fees and regulatory shifts that have added unexpected layers of complexity to an already volatile market. According to industry insights from Xeneta, the reintroduction of the SHIPS for America Act, alongside existing proposals from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), has created an environment where predicting and managing freight costs has become exceptionally challenging.
The SHIPS for America Act imposes fees on carriers based on their reliance on Chinese shipyards, introducing a $5 per ton fee on vessels owned or operated by Chinese companies. This measure also extends to non-Chinese carriers when more than 50% of their new vessels are ordered from designated “foreign shipyards of concern,” thus penalising those with a heavy reliance on shipyards owned by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation. Lower fee thresholds apply to companies with more moderate shares from these yards. Such fees arrive alongside other costs proposed by the USTR, compounding pressures on shippers and carriers alike.
As these regulatory measures unfold, carriers and their alliances face tough decisions about fleet deployment. Climactic shifts in operational dynamics mean that established service patterns may be disrupted. Xeneta highlights that re-aligning fleets to mitigate these financial impacts isn’t a straightforward task. The implications for service reliability and capacity remain unclear, raising concerns about long-term effects on supply chains.
Moreover, shippers will likely bear the brunt of rising costs as carriers seek to offset these new fees through surcharges. Xeneta has urged shippers to brace for potential rate hikes and to meticulously scrutinise freight contracts. The introduction of these complexities means that shippers cannot afford to focus solely on securing low rates; they must also consider crucial factors such as a carrier’s broader exposure to these rising fees.
Additionally, the SHIPS for America Act mandates that an increasing percentage of goods from China be transported on U.S.-built ships, a directive that further burdens shippers with additional costs and administrative considerations. The combined impact of these policies could necessitate a strategic pivot for shippers, urging them to engage in comprehensive benchmarking that evaluates not only costs but also factors like service delivery, transit times, and reliability of schedules.
These developments are not isolated within the shipping industry. The U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector is already pushing back against similar mandates that aim to bolster domestic shipbuilding. The current administration’s proposed rules require that an increasing percentage of LNG exports be transported on U.S.-built vessels, starting at 1% in 2028 and climbing to 15% by 2047. Industry representatives have expressed significant concerns over the U.S.’s shipbuilding capacity, noting that only five U.S.-built LNG carriers exist, all of which are outdated. They argue that compliance would disadvantage American exporters against competitors from countries like South Korea and China, which dominate LNG shipbuilding capabilities.
The automotive sector is facing analogous challenges, with new regulations imposing a $150 fee per vehicle on all non-U.S.-built vessels entering American ports, effective from October. Industry insiders warn that this could result in additional costs totalling up to $1.8 billion annually for car carrier operators, thereby impacting the $150 billion U.S. car import market. Such fees are anticipated to escalate shipping expenses and potentially disrupt production lines and supply chains.
While the U.S. administration’s overarching goal is to decrease reliance on Chinese fleets while enhancing domestic manufacturing through initiatives like the SHIPS for America Act, critics raise concerns about the practicality of these measures. They argue that the application of fees regardless of a vessel’s origin raises legal and economic questions that could disrupt established supply chains.
In light of these turbulent regulatory waters, Xeneta advocates for shippers to re-evaluate their strategies. The company suggests that adopting index-linked contracts could provide a financial buffer against the fluctuation of shipping prices, allowing shippers to focus more on operational execution rather than the constant renegotiation of rates. As the industry grapples with these changes, it is clear that 2025 will be a pivotal year for shippers and carriers alike, reshaping the landscape of global trade and maritime operations.
Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [[1]](https://www.projectcargojournal.com/shippers/2025/05/07/xeneta-shippers-face-a-perfect-storm-of-fees-and-uncertainty/)
- Paragraph 2 – [[1]](https://www.projectcargojournal.com/shippers/2025/05/07/xeneta-shippers-face-a-perfect-storm-of-fees-and-uncertainty/)
- Paragraph 3 – [[1]](https://www.projectcargojournal.com/shippers/2025/05/07/xeneta-shippers-face-a-perfect-storm-of-fees-and-uncertainty/), [[4]](https://www.ft.com/content/bc632c27-b598-402d-b3bf-b0b87eda528e)
- Paragraph 4 – [[2]](https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-energy-companies-seek-exemption-trump-plan-move-lng-us-built-ships-2025-05-07/), [[4]](https://www.ft.com/content/bc632c27-b598-402d-b3bf-b0b87eda528e)
- Paragraph 5 – [[3]](https://www.ft.com/content/31ae831f-9742-48a4-9226-005891b26900), [[3]](https://www.ft.com/content/31ae831f-9742-48a4-9226-005891b26900)
- Paragraph 6 – [[6]](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-levy-fees-ships-linked-china-push-allies-do-similar-draft-exec-order-2025-03-06/), [[5]](https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/trumps-us-shipbuilding-dream-is-energy-industrys-nightmare-bousso-2025-03-31/)
- Paragraph 7 – [[1]](https://www.projectcargojournal.com/shippers/2025/05/07/xeneta-shippers-face-a-perfect-storm-of-fees-and-uncertainty/), [[4]](https://www.ft.com/content/bc632c27-b598-402d-b3bf-b0b87eda528e)
- Paragraph 8 – [[1]](https://www.projectcargojournal.com/shippers/2025/05/07/xeneta-shippers-face-a-perfect-storm-of-fees-and-uncertainty/), [[1]](https://www.projectcargojournal.com/shippers/2025/05/07/xeneta-shippers-face-a-perfect-storm-of-fees-and-uncertainty/)
Source: Noah Wire Services
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