US DEVELOPMENTS – APRIL 2025
Attached at Annex A, please find the monthly report prepared by the Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) for April 2025.
The report :-
1. Provides an overview of the USTR revised Section 301 decision, which now issues new tariffs on Chinese-built vessels, cranes and equipment, and has opened a second comment period with a hearing on May 19. Key changes include phased-in fees, new exemptions and a focus on ship-to-shore cranes and LNG carriers;
2. Advises that the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission is investigating delays at major maritime chokepoints (e.g., Suez, Panama, Malacca) to assess if foreign laws or shipping practices harm U.S. trade and that comments are due by May 13, 2025. CSA urges global shipping stakeholders to respond and stress that delays are mostly due to weather, congestion or geopolitics not vessel practices. Regulatory action could follow based on findings;
3. Reports that bipartisan lawmakers reintroduced the SHIPS for America Act, aiming to grow the U.S.-flag fleet by 250 vessels, align U.S. maritime regulations with international standards, strengthen shipbuilding and invest in workforce development;
4. Identifies that the ‘Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance’ Executive Order directs federal agencies to develop a maritime action plan to rebuild U.S. shipbuilding, expand the U.S.-flag international fleet, grow the maritime workforce, attract private capital and reduce reliance on foreign maritime supply chains. It also establishes financial incentives, maritime prosperity zones and mandates regular reporting to the President and Congress;
5. Updates that the US delegation was unexpectedly withdrawn from the entire MEPC 83 meeting due to the Administration’s opposition to ongoing GHG negotiations. The US had previously remained silent on GHG issues at MEPC 82 and ISWG meetings. Notably, the withdrawal excluded US input on all MEPC 83 agenda items. Despite this, the US is expected to continue participating in future IMO meetings;
6. And notes that President Trump called for no-cost transits through the Panama and Suez Canals for all US naval and merchant vessels. He instructed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to address the issue. While Panama and Egypt have not supported the request, discussions are ongoing to explore measures to improve the efficiency and reliability of these key waterways.
The Secretariat will monitor closely the issues outlined in the reports above, and members are kindly invited to direct any comments or questions on the attached reports to Meme Lamlum. ICS Policy Adviser, at meme.lamlum@ics-shipping.org