Freight to Dodge Worst of US Port Fees Thanks to Workarounds

Freight rates are likely to see limited impact when the US starts charging Chinese vessels for calling at its ports next week, as shipping firms find several ways to circumvent the punitive measures, including reshuffling their fleets.

Some 35% of vessels in the global fleet of tankers, bulk carriers and container ships could be hit by the penalty imposed by the Office of the United States Trade Representative. But the impact on importers and exporters is likely to be minimal, Niels Rasmussen, chief shipping analyst at global shipping organization Bimco, wrote in a note this week.

The US is set ...