Washington eases port fees on Chinese ships

Beijing says high rates disrupt supply chains, raise maritime shipping costs

Following widespread opposition, the United States has scaled back plans to subject Chinese ships at US ports to millions of dollars in fees that would have been based on their net tonnage.

The change in plans was announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, or USTR, on Thursday. The office said the fees would become operational in 180 days time and would rise in the coming years.

According to the new plans, revealed in a USTR statement, Chinese-built and owned ships will be charged $50 per net ton starting from October, a rate that will increase by $30 a year over the next three years.