US Port Fee Uncertainty Deepens Under New Maritime Action Plan
The White House on Friday released its long-awaited Maritime Action Plan (MAP), a 36-page blueprint designed to restore what President Trump has described as “America’s maritime dominance.”
The document follows an executive order issued last April and outlines measures covering shipyard incentives, maritime workforce education and deregulation reforms.
The most consequential element for ocean freight is the revival of a proposed US port fee targeting foreign-built vessels. The MAP calls for a new security fee on such ships calling at US ports, arguing that “as foreign-built vessels benefit from US market access, this policy ensures they contribute to the long-term revitalisation of America’s maritime capabilities.”
Under the proposal, the fee would be calculated based on the weight of imported cargo carried by a vessel. The document presents scenarios suggesting that a charge of one cent per kilogram could generate approximately $66 billion over 10 years, while a 25-cent levy could raise nearly $1.5 trillion over the same period.
The proposal does not appear to account for the US Trade Representative’s (USTR) existing port fee introduced in October 2025, which remains suspended until November 2026. That measure, targeting non-US-built ships, was paused during November’s US-China trade negotiations after China imposed reciprocal charges.
At present, there is no indication whether the USTR charges will be reinstated.
Although the MAP outlines a potential port fee framework, it does not constitute legislation—leaving industry stakeholders with more questions than answers about the future cost structure of US shipping.
