China will impose new port fees on ships operated or owned by US companies, mirroring similar charges the US Trade Representative (USTR) will apply to Chinese vessels, reported New York's Journal of Commerce.

The Ministry of Transport said the fees will apply to US-operated ships or those with more than 25 per cent US ownership, including US-flagged and US-built vessels. The initial rate is CNY400 (US$56) per net ton, rising to $90 in 2026, $123 in 2027 and $157 in 2028.

The ministry said the move was in direct response to the USTR's port fee plan, which it claimed violated international trade principles and the Sino-US maritime agreement. It urged Washington to reverse course and end its "unreasonable suppression" of China's maritime sector.

China's fee structure limits charges to the first port of call per voyage and caps fees at five voyages annually per vessel. By comparison, the US will charge Chinese ships US$50 per net ton and the higher of US$18 per net ton or US$120 per container discharged.

The Chinese fees will affect carriers such as Matson, Maersk Line and APL, part of the CMA CGM group. Maritime analyst Lars Jensen said Seaspan's fleet may also be impacted due to its US-linked ownership.

Matson said it would not alter its service schedule or pass on the new fees to customers. The company reaffirmed its commitment to transpacific operations.

The fees will not apply to Israel's Zim Integrated Shipping Services, which has US shareholding below the 25 per cent threshold. China's maritime administration agency will collect the fees at the first port of call.