Maritime Law Amended and Promulgated, To Take Effect on May 1, 2026

On October 28, 2025, the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China revised and adopted the Maritime Law of the People's Republic of China, which will take effect on May 1, 2026.

The new Maritime Law covers ship ownership, mortgage rights, maritime liens and priorities, possessory liens, crew management, contracts for the carriage of goods and passengers by sea, charterparty contracts, towage contracts, ship collisions, maritime salvage, general average, limitation of liability for maritime claims, liability for ship oil pollution damage, and marine insurance contracts. Key provisions include ship registration, financial leasing, establishment and transfer of mortgage rights, the order of priorities, requirements for crew certificates, the period of responsibility for the carriage of goods, limits of liability, the legal effect of electronic transport records, and the insurance and fund system for oil pollution damage. The Law strengthens ecological environmental protection and alignment with international rules, and imposes higher operational compliance requirements on enterprises related to shipping, insurance, finance, and other sectors.