Grimaldi Warns U.S. Port Fees Could Force Ships Out of American Trades

Italian shipping giant Grimaldi Group is warning that reinstating U.S. port fees on foreign-built vehicle carriers could force it to redeploy vessels away from American trades, potentially disrupting shipping services for U.S. exporters and automakers.

In an October 30 filing with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), Grimaldi strongly backed the Trump administration’s proposal to extend the suspension of Section 301 port fees through January 9, 2027. The company went a step further, calling for a permanent suspension of the fees targeting foreign-built vehicle carriers.

“Many of our American customers have expressed concern at the thought of Grimaldi redeploying its ships out of US trades if the proposed further suspension of this Section 301 action is not implemented,” the company said.

The warning comes as USTR considers a two-month extension of the existing suspension, which is scheduled to expire November 9. The proposed extension would keep the measures on hold through January 9, 2027, while Washington and Beijing continue negotiations over China’s dominance of global shipbuilding.

Grimaldi, one of the world’s largest operators of roll-on/roll-off, container and pure car and truck carriers, argued that the fees could have unintended consequences for American businesses that depend on its services.

The company pointed to its cargo volumes over the past three years, reporting nearly 985,000 tons of U.S. exports and 1.31 million tons of imports. According to Grimaldi, 74.7% of its U.S. import volume consisted of cargo belonging to American automakers.

In total, the company said 86% of the cargo it carries in U.S. trades consists of American exports or imports associated with U.S. automakers.

“Few shipping lines have such a high percentage of American cargo,” Grimaldi said.

The company also highlighted its longstanding relationship with the United States, noting that it has called at American ports since 2001 and supplied cargo ships to the U.S. Navy during the Second Gulf War.

The filing adds to growing concerns among international shipping companies over the potential return of Section 301 fees, which were introduced last year as part of Washington’s effort to counter China’s dominance of the global maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors.

The measures initially took effect on October 14, 2025, before being suspended on November 10 as part of a broader trade agreement between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The fees target Chinese-owned and Chinese-operated vessels, Chinese-built ships and certain foreign-built vehicle carriers. Although intended to strengthen American shipbuilding, the measures have faced criticism from carriers that argue they could increase transportation costs and disrupt established shipping networks.

Grimaldi’s warning follows similar concerns raised by Atlantic Container Line (ACL), whose CEO Andy Abbott told gCaptain last week that customers feared the carrier would redeploy ships away from U.S. trades if the fees returned.

“ACL’s unique ships were mistakenly classified by USTR as vehicle carriers even though only 1% of its cargo is automobiles,” Abbott said.

“Our largest US container and heavy machinery customers were panicking that we would redeploy our ships out of the US trade to the booming China trade.”

The concerns from Grimaldi and ACL highlight a potential conflict between Washington’s efforts to rebuild domestic shipbuilding and the interests of American exporters that rely on foreign-built ships to move their cargo.

The administration’s proposed extension has also faced opposition from lawmakers and maritime labor groups that want the fees reinstated.

In June, Senators Mark Kelly and Elizabeth Warren urged USTR to restore the charges, arguing that their suspension undermined efforts to rebuild U.S. commercial shipbuilding and deprived the government of potential revenue for maritime investments.

For Grimaldi, however, the issue goes beyond a temporary extension. The company is calling for permanent relief from the fees imposed under Annex III of the Section 301 action, which specifically addresses foreign-built vehicle carriers.

“Grimaldi understands the intentions of USTR to advance policies that strengthen US national security and manufacturing/agricultural/maritime competitiveness,” the company said.

But it added that it hopes “no insurmountable roadblocks will be put in our way.”

The USTR public comment period closes October 30 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. The proposed two-month extension has not yet been finalized.

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