BIMCO prepares explanations for shipowners regarding new tariffs in US ports
5.06.2025 - 14:20
A new document from the shipping association BIMCO aims to remove legal uncertainties in contracts due to the new “Trump port dues” for ships from China.
BIMCO noted that the new port dues will significantly increase the cost of maritime transportation to and from the United States, writes TradeWinds.
In addition, the innovations also create uncertainty in existing charter contracts as to who should pay the additional costs.
Because of this, the association is developing a new standard clause (legal clause) in the terms of charter contracts. According to BIMCO, this clause is designed to resolve the “contractual uncertainty” associated with the introduction of additional port dues.
The document will determine the procedure for distributing liability and costs between the shipowner and the charterer in the event that a vessel falls under the new tariffs.
The association stressed that as the industry will look for ways to avoid the fees, it is important to clearly spell out such risks in contracts in advance.
“A BIMCO subcommittee has been established, consisting of legal and commercial experts, and work on the regulation is already underway. It is expected that the regulation will be published in the near future, and further communication is planned after its adoption,” said BIMCO Contracts Director Stinne Tiger Ivo.
On the other hand, shipping giants do not plan to abandon the construction of ships in China. In particular, during the Nor-Shipping conference, MSC noted that they will continue to order ships in the United States, and that US port fees are not an obstacle for them.
As a reminder, the Office of the US Trade Representative has introduced additional port fees aimed at ships of “Chinese origin”. In particular, from October 2025, owners or operators of ships from China will pay an increased tariff. Separately, tariffs will also increase for non-American car carriers.
Earlier, BIMCO emphasized that Trump’s plan on port fees will harm the United States.
