Grimaldi Group files with USTR over port fees, warns of trade disruption

Grimaldi Group filed with the Office of the United States Trade Representative on October 30, 2026, concerning port fees for cargo belonging to American automakers. The company strongly supported the Trump administration’s proposal to extend the suspension of Section 301 port fees through January 9, 2027, and called for a permanent suspension. Grimaldi Group warned that reinstating these fees could force it to redeploy vessels away from American trades, potentially disrupting shipping services for U.S. exporters and automakers.

The fees target foreign-built vehicle carriers, and Grimaldi Group, which provides cargo services to American automakers, reported handling nearly 985,000 tons of U.S. exports and 1.31 million tons of imports over the past three years. The company stated that American customers have expressed concern about potential service disruptions if the proposed suspension of the Section 301 action is not implemented.