Orient Overseas Expects U.S. Port Fees to Impact Firm Amid Tariff Uncertainties

(Bloomberg) —

Orient Overseas International Ltd. warned that additional port levies imposed could negatively impact the firm, but shifting global trade patterns amid tariff uncertainties could bring opportunities to the shipping sector.

Shipping rates for transpacific routes — the biggest source of revenue for Orient — fluctuated heavily during the first half before ending the period lower as clients adopt a wait-and-see approach as “ongoing policy uncertainties have fuelled market concerns,” according to a Thursday filing.

That marks a shift from the front-loading rush earlier in the year which initially pushed rates up.

Demand shifted to more regional trade, with the group’s intra-Asia and Australasia revenue up 16% — the strongest first-half showing since 2022 — in part due to the re-deployment of larger vessels from transpacific services. 

Vessels sailing major long-haul routes are “nearly fully loaded,” at this time, the container liner said. “This is expected to continue in the coming weeks.”

Ongoing policy changes and disruptions to the global economy could “have profound impacts on overall market development,” the Hong Kong-based liner said, noting additional port charges by the US on Chinese carriers “will have a relatively large impact” on the group. 

© 2025 Bloomberg L.P.

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