https://digivn.dw.com/view/250513-01-0207
Lower thirds:
0:03  Report by / Ahmad Kalaji
1:01  Dr. Martin Kröger / CEO, German Shipowners’ Association
2:01  Dr. Martin Kröger / CEO, German Shipowners’ Association  

Script:

The world’s shipping companies are facing a two-front squeeze. Tariffs grabbed the headlines, but another heavy cost is on the horizon:

Docking fees! 

Let's start with tariffs. They don’t just hit manufacturers, they threaten to slow global trade itself, with shipping lines caught in the crossfire.  

Ocean shipping carries about 80% of global trade, meaning the shockwaves from tariffs will definitely reach the ports. 

++ Graphics ++ 
In Germany, there are 287 shipping companies. Only 2% of them have fleets with more than 50 vessels.
80% of the companies operate fleets of fewer than ten ships, so even a small dip in cargo can hurt. 

Trans-Pacific volumes are already down, and ships are suddenly in less demand. 

The German Shipowners’ Association says small and mid-sized carriers are feeling the squeeze from the U.S.-China trade.  

++ Dr. Martin Kröger – CEO, German Shipowners’ Association ++
"We see a decline in chartering out activity... less demand for container ships now, because the volumes of trade have declined, especially between China and the United States."

But tariffs are just one side of the squeeze. The second front—docking fees—opens in October:  

the U.S. will charge a fee every time a Chinese-built ship docks:  
$50 per net ton if it’s owned by a Chinese company. 
$18 if it’s owned by a non-Chinese company.

The fee will increase each year for the next three years.

It’s a first-of-its-kind measure meant to counter China’s shipbuilding dominance and protect American shipyards.  

++ Graphics ++ 
This dominance is real. Data from the UN shows that China delivered over 50% of all new ship capacity in 2023—more than the rest of the world combined. 

This means a huge portion of the world fleet could be affected by the U.S. fee.

++ Dr. Martin Kröger – CEO - German Shipowners’ Association ++
"Well, it’s an absolute first to see a country introduce docking fees on Chinese-built ships... We expect a heavy impact on the shipping market. The first thing you’ll see is ships built in China going out of trade from the United States."

In other words, carriers will reroute vessels to avoid U.S. ports. There are plenty of other trade lanes for those ships, but the disruption will be significant. 

European ports like Hamburg haven’t yet seen a surge to fill the gap. but global patterns are changing. Other countries might become new transshipment hubs, while China could pivot its fleet to serve other markets.  

Shipping companies everywhere are watching closely. 

++ Dr. Martin Kröger – CEO - German Shipowners’ Association ++
"It will be an interesting time for the German shipping industry, because we are sailing in total unpredictability. We don’t know what the United States is going to do next on trade policy... We hope for the best, but we have no idea what the outcome will be."

After weekend talks in Geneva, the U.S and China agreed to a 90-day tariff truce, bringing things back to the 10% baseline. 

So for now, the industry enjoys slightly calmer waters - yet shipowners are still bracing for the next storm.

E N D