Ocean Network Express (ONE) has reassigned 10 Chinese-built container ships to bypass US ports ahead of new tariffs due in October, reports Ventura, California's gCaptain.

The Premier Alliance has split its transatlantic MS2 service into two separate loops: MD2 for Asia-Mediterranean and GS2 for Middle East-US. This allows ONE to redeploy its China-built vessels away from US calls.

The MD2 loop began last Thursday with the 10,000 TEU Hyundai Mars departing Busan. Its rotation includes major Asian and European ports such as Shanghai, Singapore, Valencia and Genoa.

GS2 launched on September 4 with the 14,220-TEU YM Wonderland from Singapore. It will rotate through ports in Asia, the US west coast, and the Middle East, including Long Beach, Oakland, Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi.

Drewry data shows a 19 per cent drop in China-built vessels on the Asia-US west coast route between May and August, now totalling 102 ships. The east coast trade saw a 20 per cent decline to 33 vessels.

Transatlantic routes saw a smaller six per cent reduction, with 44 China-built ships remaining. Sea-Intelligence noted that despite headlines, the statistical impact of redeployments is limited, especially on transatlantic trades.

Sea-Intelligence estimates that China-built ships comprised 25-30 per cent of Asia-US west coast traffic earlier this year, now reduced to 20-25 per cent. East coast figures fell from 15 per cent to 10 per cent.

The consultancy added that the effect of fleet shifts is not yet significant, with little change seen on North Europe-North America and Mediterranean-North America routes.

Cosco Shipping Lines, which has the highest share of China-built vessels, has pledged to maintain its transpacific services. Its partner CMA CGM said it will not pass on the new port fees, which could reach US$1.5 million per call.