How Shipping Companies Respond to China-US Port Fee Imposition: Strategies of Maersk, Gemini, Matson, and Other Carriers

On October 14, 2025, the China-US “Special Port Charges for Vessels” officially came into effect. Shipping companies quickly adjusted their strategies to cope with the sudden high port fees. Different carriers adopted distinct approaches. Below is an analysis of Maersk, Gemini, Matson, and some other carriers.

1. Maersk: Cautious Route Optimization

Maersk chose to adjust port calls and route combinations to minimize the impact of high port fees:

* Some routes canceled calls at Chinese ports and switched to transshipment through ports such as Busan, South Korea.

* Optimized voyage frequency and vessel scheduling to reduce port fee expenditure while maintaining overall transport efficiency.

2. Gemini: Avoiding Chinese Ports

Gemini adopted a strategy of completely bypassing the charged ports:

* Its US-flagged vessels no longer call at major Chinese ports.

* All trans-Pacific routes were shifted to other Asian ports (e.g., South Korea, Japan) to avoid port fees.

This strategy directly avoids fees but may lead to longer transit times and supply chain adjustments.

3. Matson: Maintaining Original Routes and Paying Fees First

Matson chose to maintain its original China-US routes:

* The vessel *MANUKAI* paid CNY 4.458 million at Ningbo Port, while *MATSON WAIKIKI* paid CNY 12.09 million at Shanghai Port, becoming the first US vessels to pay the charges.

* Matson promised not to pass on the additional costs to customers, maintaining service stability.

Matson’s approach demonstrates its commitment to the market, although it increases short-term operating costs.

4.CSCOC, OOCL, and Other Carriers: Absorbing Fees without Passing Them to Customers

Some carriers chose not to pass on US port surcharges to customers:

* CSCOC and OOCL stated that although they need to pay US port surcharges, they will not charge customers extra on freight.

* Internal cost adjustments and shipping optimization are used to absorb the additional fees while ensuring a consistent customer experience.

This approach helps maintain customer relationships and market competitiveness but may put short-term pressure on profits.

Goodship56 Professional Advice

In light of the new China-US port fee scenario, shippers and cross-border e-commerce operators can consider the following strategies:

1. Plan Transportation in Advance

   * Confirm carrier policies before booking, choose suitable routes and ports, and avoid delays or extra costs due to last-minute adjustments.

2. Evaluate Fee Responsibility

   * Understand how each carrier handles port surcharges (self-paid or passed to customers) and calculate overall logistics costs accordingly.

3. Select Carriers Flexibly

   * For urgent or time-sensitive cargo, choose carriers maintaining Chinese port service (e.g., Matson);

   * For cost-sensitive cargo, choose carriers that bypass Chinese ports or do not add surcharges (e.g., Gemini, CSCOC, OOCL).

4. Maintain Communication with Logistics Partners

   * Stay closely connected with professional logistics service providers to monitor policy changes and carrier adjustments, allowing timely strategy updates.

Goodship56 advises customers to design flexible cross-border logistics solutions based on cargo type, delivery urgency, and cost budgets to minimize risks and extra charges from policy changes. We provide one-stop air freight, ocean freight, customs clearance, and delivery services from China to the US, ensuring smooth and efficient delivery of your goods.