Cosco Shipping Container Lines and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) issued announcements regarding to the action that the United States will begin assessing port service fees on maritime transport services provided by Chinese operators and shipowners, as well as operators using Chinese-built vessels, effective 14 October 2025.

The new fees follow an investigation into China’s dominance of the shipbuilding industry by the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

As Chinese shipowners Cosco and OOCL are harder hit by the US fees than other container lines which are only impacted when Chinese-built vessels call ports in the States. Cosco Shipping is the parent company of Hong Kong-headquartered OOCL.

“While the port service fees may pose certain operational challenges, Cosco Shipping Lines remains confident in our ability to ensure stable and reliable services in the United States. We are committed to maintaining stable capacity deployment and service quality, consistently delivering reliable, secure, and high-quality logistics solutions,” stated Cosco Shipping Lines.

At the same time, Cosco said it was actively enhancing its product portfolio to meet the evolving demands of the US market, and will maintain competitive rates and surcharges, along with related policies that align with market conditions.

“Despite the financial burden imposed by these fees, our commitment to the US market is clear and strong.  For decades, OOCL has been a trusted partner in facilitating US exports and imports, consistently delivering reliable, secure, and high-quality logistics solutions. That commitment has not changed,” said OOCL.

“OOCL’s future in the US is firm. We will remain steadfast in protecting our customers’ interests and providing a comprehensive range of dependable services under the OOCL brand,” continued OOCL. 

In April, the US unveiled the plans to impose new port fees on Chinese ships in around 180-days period, rolled out in a phased manner, to revive American shipyards.