The Trump administration has unveiled its Maritime Action Plan, proposing new port fees on all foreign-built vessels calling at US ports, a move that could significantly raise costs for international shipping, reports UK's Seatrade Maritime News.

The 36-page plan outlines ambitions to revitalise US shipyards with hundreds of billions of dollars in investment, including a US$150 billion inward investment deal with South Korea. Hanwha has already pledged US$5 billion to expand Philly Shipyard's capacity to 20 vessels a year.

Previously, funding was linked to USTR port fees on China-built and owned vessels, later suspended after retaliatory measures from Beijing. The new proposal would apply to all foreign-built ships, with charges based on import cargo weight rather than vessel tonnage.

Examples in the plan suggest a fee of one cent per kilogram could raise US$66 billion over 10 years, while 25 cents per kilogram could generate US$1.5 trillion. Analysts said charges at the high end would far exceed the USTR fees.

The International Chamber of Shipping voiced opposition, warning the fees would impose a substantial burden on maritime transport. While carriers could pass costs to customers, higher prices risk dampening US consumer demand and reducing import volumes.

Industry observers noted that while the plan aims to create a "Maritime Golden Age," the proposed fees could prove costly for shipping companies and ultimately for US consumers, echoing impacts already seen from tariffs at ports such as Los Angeles.