Signal China sanctions US subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean and imposes special port fees

Summary

Beijing condemned the US shipbuilding measures as incapable of reviving American shipbuilding, demanded that Washington stop them and vowed to protect its lawful rights. In October 2025, judging the measures discriminatory, China's commerce ministry announced special port fees on vessels with US elements, including US-flagged, US-built and US-owned, invested or operated ships. Invoking its Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, the ministry also put five US-based subsidiaries of Hanwha Ocean, including Hanwha Philly Shipyard and Hanwha Shipping, on its countersanctions list. The listing bars organisations and individuals in China from dealing or cooperating with them. China said the subsidiaries had assisted the US government in ways that harmed its sovereignty, security and development interests.