Seaspan, the world's largest independent containership owner, has decided to relocate its headquarters from Hong Kong to Singapore in response to new US port fees regulations. Starting in October, it will gradually reflag approximately 100 of its vessels under the Singapore flag. This move aims to avoid new US port fees levied on Chinese shipowners and Chinese-built vessels, effective October 14, 2025.

According to the plan, US port fees will be charged based on a vessel's net tonnage, starting at $50 per net ton and increasing to $140 by April 17, 2028. 

Chinese-built vessels will be charged based on net tonnage or the number of containers, starting at $18 per net ton and $120 per container, increasing to $33 and $250, respectively, by April 2028. Each vessel will be subject to a maximum of five levies per year.

Seaspan has established registered ownership entities in Singapore and is leasing its newly flagged vessels to various container shipping companies to avoid the direct impact of US port fees.