China 14 Oct, 2025 Updated - China announces special port fees on US ships Erin Walton Assistant Corporate Director On 10 October 2025, China's Ministry of Transport announced special port fees for ships that are owned by US entities, other organisations, and individuals; ships operated by US entities, other organisations, and individuals; ships owned or operated by entities or other organisations in which US entities, other organisations, and individuals directly or indirectly hold 25% or more of the equity (voting rights, board seats); US flagged ships; as well as ships built in the United States. Download PDF Commencing 14 October 2025, the maritime administration of each port will be responsible for collecting special port fees for relevant vessels calling in that port. The announcement advises that special port fees will increase incrementally, as follows: From 14 October 2025: RMB 400 per net ton Starting from 17 April 2026 : RMB 640 per net ton Starting from 17 April 17 2027: RMB 880 per net ton Starting from 17 April 2028: RMB 1,120 per net ton (Amounts less than 1 net ton will be calculated as 1 net ton) Vessels calling at multiple Chinese ports on the same voyage will only pay special port fees at the first port of call. The announcement further states that the same ship will be charged no more than 5 times within a year. Further specific implementation measures were announced on 14 October, which also provide for some exemptions for vessels built in China, vessels entering shipyards solely for repairs and others. The implementation measures can be found on the Ministry of Transport website here . For the full announcement, see here . Members are advised to review existing charter parties and consider how any clause relating to fees may allocate the costs burden of these fees. Please contact your Claims Handler for assistance with charterparty interpretation and drafting queries. Please also see responses to a number of frequently asked questions received