The launch of the United States’ new Maritime Action Plan (MAP) has been welcomed by the country’s politicians but has received a more guarded approach from the wider maritime sector.

President Trump announced the extensive plan which is designed to drive growth in the country’s shipbuilding and ports’ sectors and will look to drive maritime investment.

However, as part of the plan there would be a charge for goods imported into the USA via foreign built vessels. While the exact cost per kilogram of cargo has yet to be decided there are fears that it will add hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars to cargos depending on the size of the vessel involved and the weight of the cargo carried.

In the US the plan has been welcomed by those on both sides of the political divide.

Republican senator Todd Young applauded the launch of the plan.

“I am grateful to President Trump and his team for devoting time and attention to revitalizing our maritime industrial base,” Young said. “This plan is a much-needed, holistic approach to restore American commercial shipping dominance. There is substantial overlap between the President’s vision and the plan we have proposed in the SHIPS for America Act. The announcement should serve as a wake-up call for Congress to act quickly on this bill in order to provide the legal authorities and resources necessary to make this plan a reality. It’s time to make American ships again.”

Last year, Senator Young introduced the SHIPS for America Act with democratic senator Mark Kelly  which aimed to “revitalise” America’s domestic shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries.

In a statement the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) gave a guarded welcome to the plans but added it had concerns over the plans to charge foreign shipping to use US ports.

“The ICS acknowledges the US Government’s  Maritime Action Plan and its stated position to revitalise and expand domestic  shipbuilding and maritime capacity in the United States,” it added in a statement. “ICS supports the objective of increasing US shipbuilding capacity and strengthening  the United States shipbuilding industry through policies that encourage investment, as  additional commercial tonnage enhances the efficiency, resilience, and  competitiveness of the global maritime sector. A strong and diversified global  shipbuilding base benefits international trade and supply chain security.

“However, ICS remains opposed to any proposed port fees, including the suggested  universal infrastructure or security fee on foreign-built commercial vessels calling at US ports.”

The  statement continued: “The imposition of fees based on the weight of imported tonnage, at levels ranging from 1  cent per kilogram to 25 cents per kilogram, would represent a substantial additional  cost burden on maritime transport. Such measures risk distorting trade, increasing costs for US consumers and businesses, disrupting the smooth flow of global commerce, and could encourage retaliatory measures.”

It concluded: “ICS strongly advocates for shipping to be able to move trade freely, efficiently, and  without unnecessary barriers. The global nature of maritime transport requires policy  solutions that are carefully coordinated and that avoid unintended consequences for  supply chains and economic stability.

“ICS remains committed to working constructively with the U.S. Administration, as well  as international partners, to support policies that strengthen maritime capacity while  safeguarding the efficiency and integrity of global trade.”