China's State Council approves the revision of Maritime Traffic Safety Law on 23 September 2020
Circular Ref: A(20)175
Issue Date: 28 Sep 2020
Members are invited to note that on September 23, 2020, the State Council reviewed and approved the amendments to the China Maritime Traffic Safety Law which was signed by Premier Li Keqiang.
The Maritime Traffic Safety Law was developed in 1984 which provides basic legal assurance for the better protection of the life and property at sea including the rights and interests of maritime employees and covers all vessels, facilities and personells navigating, berthing and operating in the coastal waters of China.
The first amendments were made on November 17, 2016 with some amendments on Article 12 and the current amendments are mainly to response to the new developments in maritime transportation nationwide and worldwide. The revised version now has 10 chapters, and eight new regulatory systems have been added, including the safety and pollution prevention management system for shipping companies, the ship security system, the protection system for the rights and interests of seafarers working on board, the early warning and emergency response system for overseas Chinese seafarers, the maritime traffic resource planning system, the maritime radio communication guarantee system, and the entry and exit of specific foreign ships. Six regulatory systems have been enriched, including crew management system, cargo and passenger transport safety management system, ocean rights and interests protection system, maritime search and rescue system, traffic accident investigation and handling system, legal responsibility and administrative enforcement system etc.
The Maritime Traffic Safety Law was developed in 1984 which provides basic legal assurance for the better protection of the life and property at sea including the rights and interests of maritime employees and covers all vessels, facilities and personells navigating, berthing and operating in the coastal waters of China.
The first amendments were made on November 17, 2016 with some amendments on Article 12 and the current amendments are mainly to response to the new developments in maritime transportation nationwide and worldwide. The revised version now has 10 chapters, and eight new regulatory systems have been added, including the safety and pollution prevention management system for shipping companies, the ship security system, the protection system for the rights and interests of seafarers working on board, the early warning and emergency response system for overseas Chinese seafarers, the maritime traffic resource planning system, the maritime radio communication guarantee system, and the entry and exit of specific foreign ships. Six regulatory systems have been enriched, including crew management system, cargo and passenger transport safety management system, ocean rights and interests protection system, maritime search and rescue system, traffic accident investigation and handling system, legal responsibility and administrative enforcement system etc.
The revised version will be submitted to the National People's Congress for deliberation and implementation.
While awaiting the Chinese government to release the final version of the law, I attach the consultation draft of the Maritime Traffic Safety Law in Chinese for your reference.