Car Carrier owners set to pay much less in US port fees

Car carrier operators and owners are likely to benefit from a major reduction in US port fees. The US Trade Representative has proposed changing the fee structure from $150 per car unit to $14 per tonne. According to Clarksons, a typical 6,500-ceu vessel slightly smaller than EMF’s PCTCs, charges will be reduced from nearly $1 million to around $270,000 per call.
The new rates would take effect 180 days after 14 October 2025. The announced initiative is a positive development for the PCTC segment and could help bring an end to the recent tariff discussions that have been affecting the market. However, Chinese-owned vessels will still be subject to a phased fee structure through 2028.