Container analysts at Alphaliner estimate that global carriers could face US$3.2 billion in fees next year under new US Trade Representative (USTR) rules targeting China-linked tonnage. COSCO and its Hong Kong subsidiary OOCL are projected to bear nearly half the cost, reported Singapore's Splash 24/7.

Starting October 14, vessels owned or operated by Chinese entities will be charged a flat fee of $80 per net ton per voyage to the US. Non-Chinese operators of Chinese-built ships will pay the higher of $23 per nt or $154 per TEU, capped at five voyages annually.

COSCO and OOCL could face $1.53 billion in fees if their current US fleet deployment continues into 2026. ZIM, ONE and CMA CGM are projected to pay $510 million, $363 million an $335 million respectively.

Tariffs calculated by Alphaliner range from $2,121 per TEU for COSCO's US services to just $26 per TEU for Maersk. The estimates cover total TEU capacity and operational footprint in the US.

China has vowed to retaliate. Premier Li Qiang signed a decree stating that countermeasures will be taken against countries imposing discriminatory restrictions on Chinese maritime operators.