CSSC Holdings(SH:600150) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-04-06 01:15Core Viewpoint - The proposed fees by the U.S. Trade Representative's Office (USTR) for Chinese-manufactured vessels could lead to the exit of smaller shipping companies from the U.S. market, significantly impacting U.S. exporters and the supply chain [4][6]. Group 1: Proposed Fees and Impact - The USTR's proposed measures include charging up to $1 million per vessel for Chinese shipping companies entering U.S. ports, and up to $1.5 million for non-Chinese companies with Chinese-manufactured vessels [4]. - The measures are expected to disproportionately affect smaller shipping companies like Atlantic Container Line (ACL), which may have to impose additional fees of $2,000 to $2,500 per FEU, compared to $800 per FEU for larger companies [6][7]. - ACL's CEO, Andrew Abbott, indicated that these fees could lead to a "fatal blow" for the company, potentially forcing it to exit the U.S. market and impacting around 300 employees directly, with further indirect effects on the supply chain [6][7]. Group 2: Industry Reactions and Consequences - During a hearing in March, various stakeholders, including U.S. importers, associations, and port operators, expressed opposition to the proposed fees [4]. - Abbott warned that the implementation of these fees could result in a chain reaction, leading to business losses for smaller ports, congestion at larger ports, container shortages, and increased freight rates to levels seen during the pandemic, ultimately harming U.S. exporters' competitiveness [7]. - The economic feasibility of rerouting through Canadian or Mexican ports is questioned due to high inland transportation costs, making it an impractical solution for U.S. exporters [7].