LPG relatively unscathed from USTR plan, but Chinese owners likely to exit US trades
- China-built vessels are exempt from the USTR port fees if they arrive in ballast, but Chinese and Hong Kong owners and operators are not
- Data from 2024 shows around 15% of all LPG carriers — including 19% of all VLGCs — that exported from the US could fall under the China-owned or -operated fee schedule, for which there are no exemptions
- Combination of port fees and tariffs will likely see Chinese owners exit US trades, a shipping executive said
The USTR plan was unveiled last week, and its final version provided much relief to exporters of energy commodities, with exceptions for bulk energy carriers arriving in ballast. However, China-owned or -operated LPG carriers are not exempt from fees, and could exit US trades following their introduction