Ports and box carriers push back on USTR plan
- ‘Improved’ plan will still ‘drive up the cost of shipping, reduce volume through our nation’s trade gateways’ and drive inflation, according to American Association of Ports Authority president Cary Davis
- Net tonnage-based fees ‘disproportionately penalises larger, more efficient vessels’, says World Shipping Council
- Softened plan reduces risk of severe congestion but not a ‘big victory’ for liner shipping, says Xeneta senior shipping analyst Emily Stausbøll
- WSC raises ‘legal concern’, says fees ‘appear to extend beyond the authority granted under US trade law’
There is no disagreement the final iteration of the US Trade Representative is much improved compared with the February proposal. But port and liner shipping associations say it will still be inflationary and reduce shipping volumes in US gateways
