The US-China trade spat is significantly impacting the global shipping industry, with tariffs already reducing cargo volumes and new docking fees set to target Chinese-built vessels starting in October.This dual pressure is particularly challenging for Germany's mid-sized shipping companies, which operate smaller fleets and are more vulnerable to fluctuations in trade. The German Shipowners’ Association highlights a decline in chartering activity and reduced demand for container ships, especially between China and the US.

The new US docking fees announced by US President Donald Trump are aimed at countering China's dominance in shipbuilding and will impose substantial costs on Chinese-built ships, potentially leading carriers to reroute vessels away from US ports. This could disrupt global shipping patterns, with European ports like Hamburg yet to see a compensatory surge in activity. The industry remains on edge, anticipating further changes in US trade policy and their broader implications.

This video summary was created by AI from the original DW script. It was edited by a journalist before publication.