China to charge special port fees on US ships

BEIJING -- China's Ministry of Transport announced Friday that the country will charge special port fees on ships owned or operated by US enterprises, organizations and individuals starting Oct 14.

The announcement came in response to the US decision to impose additional port fees on Chinese ships after a Section 301 investigation, effective next Tuesday, according to the ministry.

Ships subject to the special port fees also include those owned or operated by entities where US enterprises, organizations and individuals hold a direct or indirect stake of 25 percent or more, as well as all the US-flagged and US-built vessels, the ministry said.

The transport ministry outlined a phased escalation for the special port fees on eligible US vessels berthing at Chinese ports, which will initially be 400 yuan (about $56.3) per net tonne from Oct 14 and increase annually on April 17 for the subsequent three years.

"It is a justified move to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese maritime enterprises," the ministry said, noting that the US actions have seriously violated relevant international trade principles and the China-US maritime transport agreement and caused severe disruption to maritime trade between the two countries.

China urges the United States to immediately correct its wrongdoings and cease its unwarranted suppression of China's maritime industry, the ministry added.