Vehicle carrier operators and trade groups have criticised the US Trade Representative's (USTR) decision to more than triple port call fees for foreign-built vessels calling at US ports, reports New York's Journal of Commerce.

The revised levy will rise to US$46 per net ton, up from $14 set in June, when the USTR shifted from a cargo tax to a tonnage-based fee. An average vehicle carrier or ro/ro vessel will now face a $1.2 million bill per call, capped at five calls annually.

Andrew Abbott, CEO of Atlantic Container Line, said the move would severely impact US exporters. Industry submissions during the consultation period largely opposed the fee or suggested it apply only to Chinese-built vessels.

USTR general counsel Jennifer Thornton said the increase was in response to concerns that the previous rate was too low. However, operators argue the hike will raise costs for manufacturers such as Ford and Caterpillar.

Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Hoegh Autoliners expect to pass the charges on to customers. Wilhelmsen's annual port fees could reach US$1 billion, while Hoegh may face US$225 million. Executives from both firms declined to comment.

Knut Arild Hareide, CEO of the Norwegian Shipowners' Association, said the group was reviewing the situation. Mitsui OSK Lines' Frontier Ace and Glorious Ace will be among the first vessels taxed under the new regime.

Joe Kramek, president of the World Shipping Council, warned the fees could harm US manufacturers and threaten $20 billion in exports. Mr Abbott said Grimaldi may cut US port calls due to unsustainable costs.

Accordia Shipping said the fees could collapse short-sea services to the Caribbean. Legal liaison Farid Escobar said the firm's ro/ro vessel Minchah would pay $176,134 per call, threatening trade lanes and maritime jobs.

Tiffany Smith of the National Foreign Trade Council said penalising all non-US-built carriers diverged from the original intent of the Section 301 investigation and would hurt US industries.

The USTR is also considering fees for vessels below 10,000 deadweight tons. A public consultation on the proposal is open until November10.