As the US delays its tariff policies, global companies reassess the implications for the shipping industry, shifting the focus of the Taiwanese stock market to the major shipping firms this week. According to Cai Ming-chang of Wanbao Investment Consulting, Evergreen (2603), Yang Ming (2609), and Wan Hai (2615) are expected to benefit due to their low reliance on Chinese-built vessels, resulting in comparatively minor tariff impacts.

The ongoing US-China trade war has intensified, with the US recently announcing a 90-day delay on tariffs for countries other than mainland China, which faces a 245% high tariff. The Trump administration further plans to impose a hefty port fee of $50 per net ton on Chinese-built vessels entering US ports 180 days from now, with an annual increase of $30 over the next three years. This policy is likely to benefit shipping companies with lower dependence on Chinese-made vessels, especially Evergreen, Wan Hai, and Yang Ming, whose percentages of Chinese-made vessels are notably minimal—Evergreen at 23%, Wan Hai at 4%, and Yang Ming completely unaffected.

Additionally, the market is focusing on the potential revenue impacts on Wan Hai's two main shipping routes. Expectations are that the Southeast Asia route reliant on Chinese manufacturing may see opportunities for new orders due to the delaying of equivalent tariffs, alongside the potential for increased freight rates on American routes, benefiting Wan Hai, which currently has no Chinese-built vessels operating on US routes.