US Ports Breakbulk & Project Cargo
The new wave
US ports rethink cargo strategies amid trade policy‘ turmoil’
By Autumn Cafiero Giusti
With uncertainties stemming from tariffs, fees and shifting cargo demands, US ports are finding ways to pivot to new breakbulk and project cargo opportunities as they adapt to rapidly changing market conditions and domestic priorities.
US ports are facing headwinds from tariffs the Trump administration has imposed on steel and aluminum imports, as well as confusion around the US Trade Representative’ s( USTR) Section 301 action imposing fees on Chinese-owned and-built ships docking in the US.
Roll-on / roll-off( ro / ro) ships and vehicle carriers were among the vessels affected by the fees, which took effect Oct. 14, although a trade deal struck between the US and China on Oct. 30 included a one-year suspension of the fees, effective Nov. 10.
“ It’ s an ancient industry that’ s being disturbed by a very rapid set of policy changes.”
Ethan Murray Assistant Operations Manager, New Hampshire Port Authority
Ports that previously had been able to count on more predictable planning and certain cargo types, such as wind project equipment, are finding themselves having to take stock of their capabilities and recalibrate accordingly.
“ It’ s an ancient industry that’ s being disturbed by a very rapid set of policy changes,” Ethan Murray, assistant operations manager for the New Hampshire Port Authority, told the Journal of Commerce.
Murray said the past year has brought“ turmoil” for shippers and logistics agents moving cargo through US ports.“ Between the tariffs and the new sanctions on Chinese vessels, I’ ve seen nothing but difficulty in landing cargoes,” he said.
Dominion Energy
10 Journal of Commerce | December 2025 www. joc. com