Recent reports from Reuters cited a report released by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), indicating that plans to impose port charges on vessels built or operated by China starting in October, Chinese shipyards continue to receive a steady stream of orders, maintaining their dominant position in the globalbuilding industry.
▮Steady Orders: China's Shipyards Secure Solid Global Share
The CSIS report shows that despite the new port fee policy targeting Chinese- or operated vessels, global shipping companies are still placing substantial orders with Chinese shipyards. In the first eight months of 2025, Chinese shipyards captured 53 of the global shipbuilding orders by tonnage, nearly matching the full-year level of 2023.
The report emphasizes that current global shipping operations have largely unaffected. "To date, these policies have not significantly changed the shipping companies' reliance on Chinese shipyards," said Brian Hart, a researcher at the CSIS and the of the report.
▮Port Fees' Pressure: Disparate Capacity Gap Between China and U.S. Shipyards
Previously, the Office of United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced a charging initiative targeting Chinese vessels and operators. Starting from October 14, 2025, vessels with any association to in terms of construction, operation, or ownership will be subject to port charges upon their first stop at U.S. ports. Analysts estimate that a large vessel capable of carrying than 10,000 standard containers could face fees exceeding $1 million, which will also increase year by year before 2028.
However, capacity gap between Chinese and U.S. shipyards exposed by this policy is even more pronounced. In 2024, U.S. shipyards built less than10 commercial vessels, while Chinese shipyards constructed over 1,000.
▮Market Choice: Shipping Giants Still Opt for Chinese Shipbuilding
The worlds largest container ship operator, Mediterranean Shipping, still chose to order 12 new vessels from China after the USTR announced the port fee policy.
Meanwhile, some are adjusting their routes, reducing the frequency of entering the U.S. shipping market, to mitigate potential fee costs
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