Since publishing our article, the US and China have announced the suspension — among other measures — of the reciprocal port fees for one year. The immediate cost impact for vessels trading to these jurisdictions has been deferred, providing temporary relief to owners, charterers, and financiers.

 However, this appears more a tactical truce than a resolution. The shipping industry could again be affected by broader trade confrontation, and the structural risks laid out in our article remain relevant. In particular, exposures tied to vessel ownership, flagging, charterparty obligations, and financing structures continue to require careful monitoring.

 The suspension may, in fact, offer a window for the market to take stock: to reassess risk, update contractual and financial models, and prepare for a possible resumption of measures once the truce expires.