Boxship chartering at crossroads, awaiting Trump policy fallout
- Some charterers are holding off until there’s more clarity on consequences of US tariffs and final decision on US port fees
- If US hits Chinese-built ships with port fees, charter rates would rise for Japanese- and Korean-built ships, particularly smaller vessels suitable for US-Caribbean trade
- Despite the reported slowdown in fixture activity, concerns over US trade policy have yet to cause a decrease in charter rates
Tariffs on China imposed by US President Donald Trump will reduce vessel demand, a negative for containership charter rates. The Trump administration’s pending decision on US port fees will further distort the charter market