Understanding the Market | Shipping stocks rose broadly in early trading as the U.S. and China impose port fees on each other; institutions expect this to boost freight rates in the short term
Shipping stocks rose broadly in the morning, with Yang Ming Marine Transport up 3.9%, COSCO SHIPPING Development up 3.6%, OOIL up 2.68%, SITC up 2.54%, and COSCO SHIP PORT up 1.06%. The Ministry of Transport announced new regulations as countermeasures against U.S. port service fees, effective from October 14, 2025. HTSC believes that shipping companies may adjust their vessel deployments in the short term, leading to supply chain disruptions and rising freight rates
According to the Zhitong Finance APP, shipping stocks rose broadly in the morning session. As of the time of publication, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation (02510) rose 3.9% to HKD 8.53; COSCO SHIPPING Development (02866) rose 3.6% to HKD 1.15; Orient Overseas International (00316) rose 2.68% to HKD 126.3; SITC (01308) rose 2.54% to HKD 29.82; COSCO SHIP PORT (01199) rose 1.06% to HKD 5.72.
On the news front, on October 14, the Ministry of Transport released the "Implementation Measures for the Collection of Special Port Service Fees for Vessels from the United States." The "Measures" consist of ten articles and will take effect from the date of publication. They mainly include the basis for formulation, scope of collection, collection standards, collection entities, payment voyages, payment requirements, information verification, violation handling, dynamic adjustment, interpretation departments, and implementation time, further clarifying the specific regulations exempting vessels built in China, empty vessels that only enter Chinese shipyards for repairs, and other vessels recognized for exemption from payment.
HTSC stated that on October 10, the Ministry of Transport issued an announcement regarding the USTR's countermeasures against Chinese enterprises and Chinese-built vessels imposing port service fees. The charging standards are basically consistent with the U.S. policy, and mutual port fees between China and the U.S. will take effect from October 14, 2025. In the short term, the institution believes that shipping companies may reallocate global vessel deployments and port calls to reduce related costs, which will cause supply chain disruptions and drive up freight rates
