USTR urged to kill proposed rules on vehicle carriers and LNG shipping
- Despite reduction of ro-ro fees announced in June, costs are still high enough to force operators to limit US calls and shift to smaller vessels
- Because vehicle-carrier fees cover non-Chinese tonnage, critics say they would make orders for vehicle carriers at Chinese yards more attractive — the opposite of USTR’s intent
- American Petroleum Institute, the largest US energy lobby, and Cheniere, the largest US LNG exporter, oppose USTR plan for LNG shipping
America’s port fee plan is rife with unintended consequences. Proposals targeting vehicle transport and LNG shipping are prime examples of how port fees could backfire, hurting US interests and doing nothing to penalise Chinese shipbuilding
