Heilongjiang Lighthouse International Logistics Co., Ltd.

A new escalation is shaking global maritime trade. Over the weekend, several vessels bound for China reportedly turned back to open waters after Beijing announced retaliatory port fees targeting ships linked to the United States. Starting October 14, China will impose an additional fee of 400 yuan per gross ton on all vessels built, operated, registered under the U.S. flag, or even listed on U.S. stock exchanges. The move mirrors Washington’s earlier tariff action on Chinese-owned tonnage, effectively igniting a new round of maritime and trade confrontation between the world’s two largest economies.

According to Jefferies, the new Chinese measures could affect up to 16% of the global crude oil tanker fleet, 14% of LPG carriers, 13% of product tankers, and 11% of container ships — enough to cause major disruptions in global logistics chains. The fee will increase annually, reaching 1,120 yuan per ton by 2028, making China one of the most expensive destinations for vessels with U.S. capital involvement.

Analysts at Arrow Shipbroking Group warn that significant delays are likely in the first days of enforcement, as Chinese ports verify vessel ownership structures and may suspend unloading until confirming the absence of U.S. stakeholders. Meanwhile, Dr. Roar Adland, Head of Research at SSY, commented: “We are witnessing the early stages of a divided global trade system — and shipping will inevitably be caught in between.”

Arrow Shipbroking Group, founded in 1984 in London, is one of the largest independent shipbrokers in the world, specializing in maritime market analysis, risk management, and vessel sale and purchase transactions.

Morocco has taken a big step in strengthening its maritime position with new development projects at the Casablanca port complex, inaugurated last week under the patronage of King Mohammed VI. The $577 million expansion program includes a renovated fish port, a new shipyard, and an upgraded cruise terminal, alongside a modern office hub to unite port stakeholders.

The $120 million fish port will boost Morocco’s seafood processing and exports, accommodating 260 artisanal boats and 100 coastal vessels. It will feature ice plants, a modern fish market, and dedicated offices for shipowners.

A centerpiece of the expansion is the Casablanca shipyard, backed by a $250 million investment to support Morocco’s goal of building a competitive national commercial fleet. The National Port Agency is preparing to grant operating rights to a private firm for further development.

The newly opened cruise terminal adds another $72 million investment, designed to handle up to 450,000 passengers annually with a 650-meter quay, three gangways, and parking for 44 buses — boosting Casablanca’s profile as a Mediterranean tourism hub.

These developments come as Moroccan ports report record growth: in Q1 2025, cargo throughput reached 60.8 million tons (+10.2% YoY), driven by transshipment activity that made up nearly 50% of traffic. Cruise traffic also surged by 46.9%, with over 55,000 passengers welcomed in the same period.

Amodern transshipment site for dangerous goods has been launched at the Suifenheroad checkpoint. This is the first pilot free trade zone in China (HeilongjiangProvince) to implement the "one certificate — two lines" system forinternational road transport of hazardous cargo.Thep

roject has already been recognized by China’s Ministry of Commerce as anexample of best practice, highlighting how infrastructure for safe andefficient logistics continues to develop.

The 173-meter Dutch-flagged multipurpose vessel Thamesborg, operated by Wagenborg, ran aground in the Franklin Strait while sailing from Lianyungang, China, to Baie-Comeau, Canada, via the Northwest Passage. The crew was unharmed, and no pollution was reported. The vessel, carrying carbon blocks for industrial use, is ice-class 1A, designed to operate in first-year ice during summer and autumn. Canada’s Coast Guard deployed the icebreaker CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier, which arrived at the site nine hours later to assist in refloating the vessel and assess potential damage.

The Northwest Passage remains a less frequently used alternative to Russia’s Northern Sea Route but offers significant savings — about 3,750 nautical miles shorter than the Panama Canal route, cutting transit time by up to 14 days and reducing CO₂ emissions by 40%. However, environmentalists warn that local emissions in the Arctic still threaten its fragile ecosystem. Wagenborg Shipping, a family-owned Dutch company founded in 1898 with a fleet of more than 180 vessels, has been a pioneer of Arctic navigation and first transited the Northwest Passage in 2016.

On July 31, 2025, the United States imposed its largest package of sanctions to date against Iran, which also affected some vessels operating on international routes. Part of the fleet of the Chinese shipping company VUXX Shipping, including several container ships serving foreign trade routes to Russia, has come under these restrictions.

The sanctions list includes 15 container ships operated by Marvise SMC DMCC and 7 container ships operated by REEL Shipping L.L.C. Until October 1, 2025, only a limited range of operations is allowed with these vessels: safe berthing, anchorage, and departure from ports (excluding ports in Iran, Russia, or under their control), ensuring crew health and safety, emergency repairs, environmental measures, unloading of cargo loaded before July 30, 2025, as well as services such as vessel management, insurance, and bunkering. New commercial contracts with blocked persons and any operations not specified in the license, including transactions with Iranian or Russian organizations, are prohibited.

Some VUXX Shipping vessels affected by the restrictions will be replaced by other ships. The company is preparing operational solutions to avoid disruptions in container deliveries to customers. Checks of all voyages and schedules are already underway to minimize delays and reassign cargo to alternative vessels.

The sanctions have had a significant impact on the carrier’s operations: VUXX Shipping has had to give up chartering 16 vessels, reducing its operating capacity and causing a drop in its global ranking among container operators by fleet capacity. Industry experts expect temporary instability in shipping schedules, especially on routes linked to Russia, in the near future.