Port fees and the digital turn in maritime governance

In its recent action against China in maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors,1 the US sought to implement an extensive set of measures under section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 that go beyond traditional trade remedies.2 These include imposing additional port fees on Chinese-linked ships, and imposing restrictions on Chinese maritime data and logistics platforms, alongside other measures aimed at reinforcing US maritime capacity and industrial competitiveness.3

In response, China amended its international maritime transport regulations (Decree No 817), introducing provisions that allow countermeasures against states that impose or assist discriminatory measures on Chinese maritime operators, ships or crews. ⁴