DHT Denies U.S. Ties After China Announces New Port Fees

Oil tanker operator DHT Holdings said its fleet has no U.S. links in response to China’s newly imposed port fees. The rules target vessels with ties to the United States. 

China’s policy, effective October 14, aims to penalize vessels built, flagged, or owned (≥ 25%) by U.S. entities. The move is framed as a countermeasure to U.S. ports’ fees on Chinese ships. 

DHT stressed that all its ships are directly owned by non-U.S. entities, built outside the U.S., not flagged under U.S. registry, and operated from management hubs in Monaco, Singapore, Norway, and India. 

Additionally, only 20% of its board members are U.S. nationals. DHT said it is not aware of any shareholder or group controlling more than 25% of shares that originates from the U.S.  However, the company admitted it cannot verify ownership at the level of every individual investor. 

The port fee policy comes amid escalating U.S.–China trade tensions. Analysts say using maritime and logistical measures as geopolitical tools is increasingly common in today’s global supply chain environment.

DHT’s assertion seeks to shield itself from the new charges. Yet, observers will watch closely to see how other shipping firms respond and whether China enforces the policy broadly.