U.S. Proposes Sweeping ‘Maritime Action Plan’ with Universal Port Fees on Foreign-Built Vessels

The U.S. administration unveiled a significant policy proposal on February 14, 2026, that could reshape the financial landscape of maritime trade at American ports. According to a report from Lloyd’s List, the ‘America’s Maritime Action Plan’ introduces a new universal fee on all foreign-built vessels entering U.S. ports. The proposed fee would be calculated based on the weight of imported tonnage, a move intended to generate substantial revenue for the domestic shipbuilding industry.

The plan outlines a scalable fee structure with enormous financial implications. A levy of just 1 cent per kilogram could generate an estimated $66 billion over a decade, while a more aggressive 25 cents per kilogram could yield nearly $1.5 trillion in the same period, as detailed in the Lloyd’s List report. All revenue generated would be directed into a newly created Maritime Security Trust Fund, with the explicit goal of revitalizing the United States’ domestic shipbuilding capabilities.

The proposal has already drawn sharp criticism from international trade bodies. The International Chamber of Shipping immediately expressed grave concern, warning that the fees would inevitably increase costs for both consumers and businesses. The organization cautioned that such a unilateral measure could disrupt global trade flows and potentially lead to retaliatory actions from other maritime nations, according to multiple shipping news outlets. The plan represents a protectionist shift aimed at bolstering U.S. industrial and security interests, but it risks triggering significant friction with global trading partners who rely on access to American markets.