First "Special Port Fee" reportedly charged in China — USD627,943 billed to a U.S.-flagged Matson vessel at Ningbo Port

According to information circulating within industry channels, the U.S.-flagged container ship MV MANUKAI, operated by Matson, has reportedly become the first vessel to be billed under China’s newly implemented "Special Port Fee on U.S.-linked ships."

Vessel: MV MANUKAI
Type: Container ship
Flag: United States
Owner/Operator: Matson
Port: Ningbo Port, China
Net Tonnage (NRT): 11,149
Fee charged: RMB 4,458,400 (≈ USD 627,943.66 at 7.1 exchange rate)

Timeline:
Arrived — October 13 (a.m.)
All fast — October 14 (a.m.)
Sailed — October 15 (a.m.)

The reported charge aligns with the rate stipulated in the Implementation Measures on the Collection of Special Port Dues on U.S.-Linked Vessels, issued by China's Ministry of Transport and effective October 14, 2025, setting the initial fee at CNY 400 per net ton.

While the case has not yet been officially confirmed, industry observers note that MV MANUKAI’s port call at Ningbo coincided exactly with the regulation’s enforcement date — marking what could be the first on-record application of China's reciprocal port fee.



by Xinde Marine News 

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