Trendwatch: US, China to roll out tit-for-tat port fees, threatening more turmoil at sea; U.S. threatens global shipping over new carbon tax; Rotterdam court limits strike to weekends

US, China to roll out tit-for-tat port fees, threatening more turmoil at sea

The United States and China on Tuesday will begin charging port fees on ocean shipping firms that move everything from holiday toys to crude oil, making the high seas a key front in the trade war between the world's two largest economies.

Early this year, President Donald Trump's administration announced plans to levy the fees on China-linked ships to loosen that country's grip on the global maritime industry and bolster U.S. shipbuilding. An investigation during former President Joe Biden's administration concluded China uses unfair policies and practices to dominate the global maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors, clearing the way for those penalties. 

U.S. threatens global shipping over new carbon tax

Calling it a “European-led neocolonial export of global climate regulations,” the Trump administration has threatened new measures against nations that vote for mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) limits on international shipping and establishes a pricing system for emissions. 

Shipping nations are gathering this week in London to vote on the Net-Zero Framework developed by the International Maritime Organization.

Rotterdam court limits strike to weekends

After nearly a week of disruption at Europe’s largest seaport, the District Court of Rotterdam has ruled that the ongoing strike by lashing workers must be temporarily suspended during weekdays. The industrial action may continue only at weekends, while negotiations between the union and employers proceed.

The decision largely upholds the port operators’ request to halt the indefinite strike during the workweek in order to restart container handling operations.

Container ship sails from China – Felixstowe in 21 days via Arctic

The container ship Istanbul Bridge has completed a voyage from Ningbo – Zhoushan port to Felixstowe via the Arctic in just 21 days.

The 2000-built container ship departed Ningbo – Zhoushan on 22 September marking the start of China-Europe Arctic Express Route as the world's first container shipping route via the Arctic.

Korea Claws Back Market Share as Global Shipbuilding Market Cools

South Korean officials are highlighting an uptick in the country’s market share for the newbuilding orders and the potential that they have been able to regain market share from China on the eve of the introduction of the U.S. port fees on Chinese-owned, operated, and built ships. Using data from the UK’s Clarksons, the Ministry of Trade pointed to positive results that have been building in 2025 and a good outlook for the industry.

Cargo demand from China and Hong Kong to Europe recovers following Typhoon Ragasa

Air cargo volumes from China and Hong Kong to Europe bounced back quickly following September’s Super Typhoon Ragasa, but demand patterns to the US were “less clear”, according to data provider WorldACD.

The latest weekly roundup from the company shows that volumes from Hong Kong increased by 29% week on week in the week running to 5 October (week 40), following a 19% decline the previous week as a result of flight cancellations caused by the typhoon.

Panama Canal ends FY2025 with 14 per cent revenue increase

During FY2025, the Panama Canal achieved a net profit of B/.4.1 billion ($4.1 billion), surpassing the budget projection by B/.372 billion ($372 million), despite the challenges that arose from weather and market conditions.

This result also represents an increase of B/.695 billion ($695 million) compared to the net profit recorded in FY2024, when it reached B/.3.4 billion ($3.4 billion).

This performance reaffirms the financial strength of the Panama Canal and its sustained contribution to the national economy.