Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on November 5, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
US port fees may increase costs for automakers by $200-$300 per vehicle, according to Wallenius Wilhelmsen, due to ongoing US-China trade disputes.
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Automakers transporting their cars to the U.S. could face $200 to $300 per vehicle in additional costs, the CEO of car carrier Wallenius Wilhelmsen told Reuters on Wednesday, as the company seeks to pass on new U.S. port fees to customers.
Higher-than-expected U.S. port fees on foreign-built ships took effect in mid-October as part of a trade dispute between China and the U.S. That prompted Wallenius Wilhelmsen, which operates "roll-on/roll-off" carriers that ship cars and heavy machinery worldwide, to withdraw its financial outlook.
"We're clear that this bill is an additional cost we've been given and that we need to pass on to our customers," Chief Executive Lasse Kristoffersen said.
A late-October agreement between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping granted a 12-month reprieve from the tit-for-tat fees on each other's ships, delaying changes that could cost shipping companies millions of dollars and disrupt vessel schedules.
But Wallenius said on Wednesday it was still unclear whether the suspension covers port fees for roll-on/roll-off carriers, and warned that its total cost exposure for the fourth quarter could reach about $100 million before mitigation measures and customer compensation.
(Reporting by Marie Mannes; editing by Terje Solsvik, Louise Rasmussen and Conor Humphries)
U.S. port fees are charges imposed on ships docking at U.S. ports, which can affect the overall cost of transporting goods, including vehicles.
A roll-on/roll-off carrier is a type of ship designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars and trucks, that can be driven on and off the vessel.
Customer compensation refers to the reimbursement or financial restitution provided to customers for losses or inconveniences caused by a company's actions.
Cost exposure refers to the potential financial impact a company may face due to unexpected expenses or changes in operational costs.
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