CMA CGM Rules Out Surcharges on New US Port Fees

CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest container shipping line, has assured clients it is fully prepared for the upcoming increase in U.S. port fees on Chinese-linked vessels and does not expect to introduce surcharges in response.

In April, the U.S. Trade Representative announced plans to begin charging fees on China-linked ships calling at American ports starting October 14. The move is intended to reduce reliance on Chinese shipbuilding while supporting U.S. shipyard growth. Although the final regulations are yet to be published, U.S. Customs & Border Protection is currently developing a collection framework.

CMA CGM confirmed it has already restructured parts of its fleet to comply with the new measures. The company told clients: “Despite the challenges this new service fee may create for our operations, based on the current structure and applicability of the service fee, CMA CGM does not plan to implement a surcharge at this time to cover USTR-related fees as currently structured.”

The situation may prove more difficult for CMA CGM’s Ocean Alliance partners, COSCO and OOCL, with analysts at HSBC recently estimating the two Chinese carriers could face combined costs of more than $2.1 billion in 2026.

Meanwhile, Maersk has said it intends to keep Chinese-built vessels out of U.S. trades altogether, a move it expects rivals may also adopt.

The new fee structure is prompting a wider shift across global shipping, with fleets being realigned ahead of October’s implementation. The impact is already visible in chartering activity, as Chinese-built tonnage in the tanker and dry bulk sectors is redirected to other regions.