The United States has stepped up efforts to curb China’s dominance in global shipbuilding, but new data suggests that Chinese shipyards remain resilient despite recent U.S. measures.
A CSIS report released on September 24, 2025, highlights that China controls over half of global shipbuilding orders this year, even after Washington announced steep port fees on China-linked vessels. The study, drawing on S&P Global data, shows Chinese shipyards accounted for 53 % of global tonnage in new orders between January and August. That figure, while lower than the 73 % surge in 2024, remains consistent with pre-tariff levels.
The U.S. port fees, which take effect on October 14, 2025, impose charges on vessels built in or operated by Chinese entities. For a large container ship, costs could exceed USD 1 million per first U.S. port call, with higher rates scheduled through 2028. Washington aims to leverage these fees to support its struggling domestic industry — U.S. shipyards delivered fewer than 10 commercial vessels last year compared with China’s output of more than 1,000.
Despite these moves, global carriers like MSC continue to commission new vessels from China; MSC alone ordered 12 containerships after the U.S. Trade Representative unveiled the fee structure in April. Some operators, however, are adjusting routes to keep China-linked ships out of U.S. waters.
CSIS analysts, including Brian Hart and Matthew Funaiole, note that while U.S. policies initially rattled markets, the shipping industry appears to be pressing ahead with Chinese orders. They warn that China’s integration of commercial and naval shipbuilding raises broader security concerns, underscoring Beijing’s ability to expand its navy alongside its commercial fleet.
For Washington, the challenge lies not only in balancing trade policy with industrial revitalization but also in addressing the strategic risks tied to China’s dual-use shipbuilding capacity.
