The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has started a probe that could end with the banning or detention of ships from countries deemed to be “maritime chokepoints”.
The move would add to existing proposals to impose hefty port fees — up to $1.5m — on Chinese-owned or built vessels.
US law firm Sandler, Travis and Rosenberg said the FMC action appears to be part of the Trump administration’s effort to reduce US reliance on foreign-owned cargo ships.