G Captain: Oil Traders Shun China-Made Ships for US Flows on Trump Levies

April 3, 2025 Although Trump’s plan hasn’t been finalized, the distortion in rates is indicative of the disruption emerging as a result of Washington’s proposed levy of at least $1 million each time a Chinese-operated or Chinese-built ship enters a US port. “Implementation of the rules as proposed would make a large proportion of the tanker fleet uneconomical” when it comes to US trade, Poten & Partners Inc. wrote in a note last week. Companies looking to secure vessels on long-term charters are excluding Chinese ships from their inquiries, the shipping broker and consultant said.

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