Govt Welcomes US Shipping Policy Decision
[Updated] The Government has welcomed the decision by the U.S Government that proposed shipping fees will not apply to short sea routes as “this outcome means there is not expected to be any impact on Bermuda’s shipping operations or import costs from this new US rule.”
A Government spokesperson said, “The Government of Bermuda welcomes the decision by the United States Government confirming that proposed shipping fees will not apply to short sea routes or small vessels, including the routes and cargo vessels that supply Bermuda.
“This outcome means there is not expected to be any impact on Bermuda’s shipping operations or import costs from this new US rule.
Following this announcement, Premier David Burt said, “This is a welcome and important outcome for Bermuda and the region, which is the result of direct engagement with the US and collaboration with CARICOM. It shows that when we raise our collective voices through coordinated diplomacy, they can be heard and acted on.
“The Government is grateful for the work of our public officers, the Government of Bermuda’s Washington, D.C. Office, Government House, our CARICOM partners, and representatives of Bermuda’s shipping industry. We appreciate the responsiveness of the United States Government on this important issue, and we will continue to work with them on matters of shared interest.
“This decision is a positive step as the Government continues its broader work to ease the cost of living for families and the cost of doing business in Bermuda.”
Screenshot from the new US policy showing the relevant section
Update 5.52pm: A spokesperson said, “Shadow Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy and Shadow Minister of Finance Douglas DeCouto welcome the news out of the United States that massive port dues will not apply to short sea routes, which would include Bermuda.”
Mr Fahy says, “When the port fees were first proposed by the Trump Administration there was immediate concern due to the massive costs that this would have added to an already unsustainable cost of living for all Bermudians. We are aware that many parties were involved in lobbying the US Government to roll back the proposals. The OBA is grateful for the advocacy of all partners in these efforts and the discussions we had with some of those partners to help all Bermudians.”
Dr DeCouto adding: “We proposed that any budget surplus and sums to be realised from the Corporate Income Tax be diverted to offsetting the proposed punitive tariffs to ensure Bermudians would not be hit. This idea is not taken off the table since as we have seen with other matters emanating from the US Government nothing is certain. We hope that this fund is never required but we will keep proposing helpful solutions to assist all Bermudians.”
That is a relief. Now what about the new carbon tax on shipping?
Shipping Nations Agree on World’s First Global Carbon Tax – Breitbart 11 Apr 2025
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) held a meeting in London on Friday at which member nations agreed to impose the world’s first global carbon tax, a fee of $380 per metric ton on “greenhouse gases” emitted by ships up to a certain limit and $100 per ton beyond that.
The IMO estimated the new tax would bring about $10 billion per year into the organization’s “net zero fund” for green energy transitions. The limit on untaxed greenhouse gas emissions is scheduled to reduce over the years, beginning in 2027 and ending with “net zero” around 2050.
Don’t trust them or any reps from here