The Greek-owned merchant fleet faces potential challenges due to upcoming US protectionist policies and new port fees targeting ships built in China.
Data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence indicates that if the US Trade Representative (USTR) proceeds with its proposal, over 20% of Greek shipping voyages to the US could incur these fees, potentially surpassing 1 billion dollars in costs.
Ships owned by Greek companies and operating on US routes (with a total capacity of approximately 281.7 million dwt) recorded 3,749 voyages to US ports in 2024.
Of these, 903 voyages—24% of arrivals and 21% of total capacity—were made by Chinese-built vessels.
This proposal, introduced by the USTR in April 2025, predominantly targets the ship’s country of construction, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence.
The initiative aims to decrease US reliance on the Chinese shipbuilding sector and bolster national security by imposing extra fees on arrivals of Chinese-built ships at US ports.
For the globally dominant Greek shipping sector, this could have significant economic ramifications.
According to the same report, the Greek-owned fleet comprises 4,033 cargo ships over 10,000 dwt operating internationally, with 32% of them built in China (South Korea at 34% and Japan at 26% are also significant contributors).
Lloyd’s List Intelligence noted that bulk carriers and containerships are particularly vulnerable.
Out of the 903 voyages by Greek-owned Chinese-built ships to the US, the majority were by bulk carriers (536), followed by containerships (175) and crude oil tankers (98).
These vessels are heavily utilized on major trade routes between the US and Asia and thus face a greater risk from potential tariffs.
Exemptions
Analysts noted some exceptions that may alleviate exposure, though not entirely safeguard Greek-owned Chinese-built ships.
Chinese-built vessels arriving empty at US ports are exempt from the fees, which is advantageous for bulk cargo exports from the US.
Other exemptions include ships engaged in shortsea shipping (voyages under 2,000 nautical miles to and from US ports), containerships with capacities up to 4,000 TEU, bulk carriers under 55,000 dwt, and ships with total capacities up to 80,000 dwt.
The new fees are scheduled to take effect on October 14, 2025, with amounts expected to rise gradually over the following years.
Although the detailed fee structure remains unclear, the financial burden on international shipowners—especially those with many Chinese-built ships—is substantial.
In total, 1,519 vessels owned, registered, or managed by Greek companies arrived in US ports from abroad in 2024, among which 432 (28%) were built in China.
Reevaluating Strategies and Investments
As the US seeks to limit China’s influence in shipbuilding, Lloyd’s List Intelligence suggests that Greek shipowners—key players in global shipping—may need to reassess their investment, shipbuilding, and commercial strategies.
Furthermore, unless the proposal undergoes revisions, it could lead to significant financial implications for the world’s leading shipping power, underscoring how geopolitical changes are dramatically reshaping the global shipping landscape.
