China's Ministry of Transport on Tuesday announced the launch of a probe into how the US Section 301 investigation affects the security and development interests of its shipping and shipbuilding sectors, as well as related industrial and supply chains.

The investigation will also look into whether relevant companies, organisations or individuals have implemented or assisted the United States in taking "discriminatory restrictive measures" against China in these sectors and relevant industrial and supply chains, it said in a statement

That came as the ministry revealed a detailed document regarding measures to charge special port fees on ships owned or operated by US enterprises, organizations and individuals.

The document, composed of 10 articles, clarifies specific provisions on the charging scope and standards, entities to collect the fees, payable voyages, the date of implementation and other relevant aspects.

Exemptions from these special port fees will be granted to ships built by China, empty ships entering Chinese shipyards purely for repair purposes, and other ships that are deemed exempted from payment, according to the document.

This document also notes that the scope and standards of fees, and the charging period, will be dynamically adjusted in line with the situation at the time of implementation.

These detailed measures were unveiled following the ministry's announcement on October 10 that China will charge special port fees on US ships starting on October 14 – in response to a US move to impose additional port fees on Chinese ships after a Section 301 investigation.

Under the US move, ships built in China – or operated or owned by Chinese entities – would need to pay a fee at their first port of call in the United States.

Fees could top US$1 million for a ship carrying over 10,000 containers and rise annually through 2028, according to analyst estimates.

Vessels owned or operated by a Chinese entity will face a flat fee of US$80 per net tonnage per voyage to the United States.

The US action, the ministry said, seriously violates World Trade Organization rules and the China-US maritime transport agreement, causing severe damage to maritime trade between the two countries.

It wen on to say that China's decision to levy special port fees on US ships is a justified measure to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese industries and enterprises and ensure a fair competitive environment in international shipping.

That will see US vessels berthing at Chinese ports from October 14 charged 400 yuan per net tonne. That will increase to 640 yuan from April 17, 2026, and to 880 yuan from April 17, 2027.

For vessels calling at Chinese ports from April 17, 2028, the charge shall be 1,120 yuan per net tonne. (Xinhua/Reuters)