The Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has sounded the alarm over proposed U.S. port fees targeting Chinese-built vessels, warning that the move could have devastating consequences for Caribbean economies.
The proposed U.S. tariffs would impose port fees of up to US$1.5 million per call for ships constructed in China and US$500,000 per call for any vessel owned by a company with Chinese-built ships in its fleet.
It was reported by reliable sources that BCCI Vice President Paul Innis expressed deep concern that the tariffs would lead to a dramatic rise in shipping costs—potentially increasing freight charges to the Caribbean by 50 to 60 percent. This, he warned, would impact everything from raw materials to consumer goods, leading to higher living costs, job losses, and strained port operations across the region.
“We rely heavily on imports, whether directly from the U.S. or via transshipment through American ports,” Innis said. “These fees could significantly raise the cost of doing business and worsen the cost of living in Barbados and across the Caribbean.”
Innis noted that the matter has been raised with the Barbadian government, and that Prime Minister Mia Mottley—along with other CARICOM leaders—intends to press the issue with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a high-level meeting in Jamaica this Wednesday.
“If the U.S. enforces this tariff as planned and we’re unable to secure a waiver, we may need to seek alternative markets and supply routes,” Innis added. “Without intervention, the economic fallout could be severe.”
His concerns were echoed by Barbados’ Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, who also addressed the issue at a Barbados Labour Party branch meeting. Symmonds pointed out that even a single Chinese-built ship in a fleet would trigger the full port fee if it docks at a U.S. port.
“This could add an extra US$4,000 per container coming into Barbados through U.S. ports, pushing us back to record-high inflation,” Symmonds warned, emphasizing the vulnerability of regional trade routes and the potential ripple effects on everyday costs for Caribbean consumers.
With global tensions rising, Symmonds stressed the need for Caribbean nations to present a united front in safeguarding regional trade and economic development.