Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced a new fee policy for Chinese vessels, effective from October 14, which imposes three different fee structures, exempting only LNG carriers. This policy is expected to significantly increase shipping costs and impact global shipping dynamics, particularly affecting U.S.-China trade relations [1][6]. Fee Structure - The new fee policy includes three categories: - Category I: $50 per net ton for vessels owned or operated by Chinese entities - Category II: $18 per net ton or $120 per unloaded container for vessels built in China, whichever is higher - Category III: $14 per net ton for car carriers or roll-on/roll-off vessels [1]. - Shipping operators must pay these fees through the U.S. Treasury's Pay.gov platform three business days before arrival, or they will be denied loading or unloading [1]. Impact on Shipping Costs - According to Alphaliner, the policy will impose an additional annual cost of $3.2 billion on the world's top ten shipping companies, with COSCO and OOCL bearing $1.53 billion, nearly half of the total [2]. - For a 10,000 TEU container ship, the cost to dock at a U.S. port will be approximately $5 million, which is equivalent to an additional 4% tariff on U.S.-China trade [6]. Effects on U.S. Ports and Shipping Dynamics - The dual fee structure may lead shipping companies to adjust their vessel deployments, potentially reducing cargo throughput at major U.S. ports. A report indicates that the Port of Los Angeles may see a 12% month-over-month decline in throughput [7]. - The U.S. shipbuilding industry faces a significant cost disadvantage, with construction costs five times higher than in China, which may lead to job losses in U.S. port logistics and delays in infrastructure updates [7]. Response Strategies - China has revised its International Shipping Regulations to establish countermeasures against discriminatory practices, including reciprocal fees for U.S. vessels [8]. - Shipping companies are optimizing their fleets and adjusting routes to mitigate costs, with some transferring Chinese-built vessels to non-U.S. routes [8]. - The China Shipbuilding Industry Association is advocating for technological advancements and market diversification to counterbalance risks from the U.S. market [8]. Alternative Logistics Solutions - The China-Europe Railway Express is increasingly serving as an alternative logistics solution, with a 34% year-on-year increase in operations in the first three quarters of this year [9]. - New cross-border infrastructure projects are being developed to create a "land-sea linkage" trade logistics network, reducing reliance on single maritime routes [9].