This year's Annual Review reports strong financial results, continued strategic progress and enhanced support for shipowners operating in an increasingly complex and uncertain global environment.
Please use the tabs at the top of this page, or the arrows at the bottom, to move between each section of the report.
Our correspondents and contacts in China continue to provide valuable advice.
Some new fishery farms have been identified near the ports of Rizhao, Lanshan and Lianyungang recently. Incidents of vessels running into these farms have been reported in recent months.
This Circular is formulated to assist vessels in accurately identifying the dynamic distribution of fishery farms in Chinese waters, mitigate maritime risks caused by inadvertent entry into such areas, and further improve the accuracy and practicality of fishery farm distribution information and corresponding safety recommendations.
A new fishery farm has been identified near the ports of Rizhao and Lanshan recently.
At the time of preparing this circular, we understand that the owner of this fishery farm does not hold valid Sea Area Use Certificate and Aquaculture License. MSA does not publish navigation warning in respect of this new fishery farm. For more information on coordinates and recommendations for vessels in the area, refer to the circular below.
Recently, the Maritime Safety Administration of the People's Republic of China (China MSA) distributed the Notice on Strengthening the Prevention of Collisions between Merchant Ships and Fishing Vessels in Coastal Waters of China (hereinafter referred to as the Notice) to all its affiliated Maritime Safety Administrations (MSAs), issuing special supplementary provisions addressing navigation safety for merchant ships and fishing vessels in coastal waters of China during the spring fishing season.
In conjunction with Huatai Circular [2025]07 (Collision Risks between Merchant Ships and Fishing Vessels in China’s Coastal Waters: Analysis and Prevention Recommendations), this circular collates and interprets the key contents of the Notice and formulated relevant operational suggestions for the reference of Clubs and their Members.
China MSA issued Announcement No. 2 on January 25, 2026, promulgating the Guide on Coastal Public Routes (hereinafter referred to as the "Guide"). The Guide specifies detailed parameters of China's coastal public routes (including North-South Inner/Outer Coastal Public Routes, Branch Routes), establishing a navigation network along the coast of China.
The Circular includes details on the North-South Inner/Outer Coastal Public Routes as defined in the Guide. The Circular also includes route configurations and navigational safety recommendations for vessels navigating in those areas.
Owing to winter in Northern China, it is expected that in the coming week, the sea ice condition in the Yellow Sea will develop further. For instance, the maximum area of floating ice in the Liaodong Bay area will reach 40–50 square nautical miles, while in the northern Yellow Sea, it will be 5–15 square nautical miles. The floating ice areas in the Bohai Bay and Laizhou Bay will be less than 5 nautical miles.
The Circular includes information on ice thickness and floating ice area at some of the affected ports. The Circular also includes advise for vessels calling into those affected ports.
The central waters of Bohai Bay serve as a critical gateway for vessels accessing the major ports of Tianjin, Huanghua, and Caofeidian, characterized by complex and intersecting traffic flows. In response to the escalating vessel traffic density, the China MSA promulgated the "Vessel Routing System for the Central Waters of Bohai Bay" on November 25, 2025. The new system is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, for a period of five years.
The Circular includes an advisory for vessels in routing waters as well as a list of the 8 high collision risk areas in Tianjin waters.
Collisions between merchant vessels and fishing vessels have become a prominent safety risk in maritime transportation. Such accidents not only tend to cause severe casualties and property losses but also pose potential threats to the marine environment. In recent years, although the number of such collision accidents in China's coastal waters has exhibited a yearly downward trend, the casualty rate per accident remains notably high.
This Circular is issued to analyse the occurrence patterns, distribution characteristics, and underlying causes of such accidents. It also puts forward targeted preventive recommendations to support Members’ safety management and minimize the likelihood of the occurrence of such collisions.
Read more from NorthStandard on fish farms below:
On 16 September 2025, the four-and-a-half-month summer fishing moratorium ended, and fishing activities in the East China Sea have fully resumed.
A circular regarding the common fishing methods employed by fishing vessels and related guidelines to avoid collision between merchant and fishing vessels for your consideration can be found below.
The Liberia Maritime Authority has released a marine advisory on guidelines for the prevention of collision between merchant vessels and fishing vessels in coastal waters of China. It includes advice on navigation techniques, action to avoid collision, and emergency rescue.
Recently, the Vessel Traffic Service Center of Wusong Maritime Safety Administration issued a notice on the optimization and adjustment of navigation aids and channel alignment for the section between Jiuduansha Precautionary Area and S1 Light Buoy in the South Channel of the Yangtze River Estuary. As a core waterway serving Shanghai Port and other Yangtze River ports, the South Channel experiences a persistent high density of ship traffic throughout the year.
The circular outlines the details of the channel adjustment and provides specific navigation recommendations for your consideration.
Oasis P&I has issued a circular to remind ships to watch out for the fishery farms when calling Chinese ports, especially those where claims for fishery farm damages caused by ships have been frequent. The circular below also includes recommendations to ships.
Yantai MSA reminded ships not to illegally cross the Tuoji Shuidao without authorization. Such unauthorized crossing may not only result in administrative penalties but also highly likely lead to severe navigation accidents such as collisions, groundings, and reef-strikes that pose a significant threat to the safety of navigation.
The circular lists recommendations from Huatai for your consideration.
The Yangtze River Estuary and its adjacent waters serve as a critical junction for vessels entering and exiting the Yangtze River, Shanghai Port, and North South sailing routes. With an average daily traffic exceeding 1,000 ships, this area is characterised by high navigational density, extensive fishing operations, and significant anchoring demand.
The circular compiled two typical cased of collision accidents involving ships anchoring in the Yangtze River Estuary and its adjacent waters this year, along with a summary of anchoring requirements.
China MSA issued an announcement on 21 January on the reporting requirements for foreign-flagged ships entering the internal waters of P.R. China in emergency situations, which shall enter into force as of 1st March 2025.
The circular summarises key points from the announcement, including the reporting requirements and procedures for foreign-flagged ships entering Chinese waters due to emergencies, such as crew illness, machinery failure, or distress, for the Club/Members’ easy reference.
On October 21, 2024, the Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) of the People's Republic of China issued the "Announcement on Implementing the Facilitation Measures for 'One-time Ship Position Reporting' in Major Waters across the Country", it will be implemented in major waters of China starting from November 12, 2024.
This circular will briefly introduce the main contents of the announcement and include comments and suggestions for the clubs and their members’ reference.
This circular summarises the major revisions through comparing with its previous version, i.e. the "Regulations on Ships’ Routeing System for the Shanghai Section of the Yangtze River (2017)", and provides relevant suggestions for the clubs and their members’ reference.
Regulations on Ships’ Routeing System for the Shanghai Section of the Yangtze River (2024) – read here
Tianjin Maritime Safety Administration (Tianjin MSA) recently issued the navigation notice of "Jinhangtong [2024] 0049". This notice announced the "Ships’ Routeing System in the Central Waters of Bohai Bay (for Trial Implementation)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Ships’ Routeing System"), which has been implemented on a trial basis from June 1, 2024.
The Huatai Circular introduces the main contents of the “Ships’ Routeing System” and provide relevant suggestions for the reference of clubs and members.
On April 11, 2024, Guangdong MSA (Guangdong MSA) released the “Provisions on the Administration of Water Traffic Safety Special Supervision Area in Pearl River Estuary (for Trial Implementation)”(hereinafter referred to as the “Provisions”), which has been implemented on a trial basis from July 1, 2024 and will be valid for two years.
The Huatai Circular provides a brief introduction with information that for ships that are navigating, berthing, and operating within the Special Supervision Area.
When flood and typhoon season approaches, currents and winds would intensify at Guishan anchorage and its surrounding waters of the Pearl River Estuary.
The Oasis Circular includes a diagram marking out frequent accident locations, lists potential hazards in Guishan anchorage and its surrounding waters, as well as suggestions.
Club correspondent Huatai Marine updates that the ongoing construction project in the waters downstream of the Jiangyin Bridge in the Yangtze River has moved its step into the third phase and an operation area has been newly established, namely the “Zone 5” operation water area, on 22 May 2024.
Considering this, the Jiangsu MSA issued its third notice regarding the re-adjustment on the routes as well as the navigation methods in the affected waters aimed at enhancing both the construction and navigation safety.
On 7 May 20247, Jiangsu MSA issued an updated Notice concerning the establishment of a new construction area in the waters downstream of Jiangyin Bridge in the Yangtze River and the temporary traffic control measures in place.
Read the Huatai Circular - here
Guangdong MSA issued a Regulation on the Administration of Special Administrative Area of Pearl River Estuary for Marine Traffic Safety (for Trial Implementation, which will come into effect as of 1 July 2024 with validity of two years.
Read the Oasis Circular, which includes a summary of the new navigation requirements, here
Club correspondent Huatai Marine updates that the Jiangsu MSA issued a notice on the implementation of temporary traffic control measures in the waters near the Jiangyin Bridge in the Yangtze River.
The navigation routes and methods in the affected waters have been temporarily adjusted due to construction and may be further adjusted on basis of the actual progress of the project.
Ships transiting this dense traffic water area are suggested:
To be cooperative with the pilot
Comply with the corresponding requirements listed in the Notice when transit each defined traffic control area
Enhance crew vigilance and increase bridge/engine room manpower
Ensure all machinery/equipment working satisfactorily
Have the emergency anchor parties on standby
Zhoushan port authorities have issued a guide for receiving bonded bunkers at Zhoushan port recently, advising of coordinates, navigational requirement, anchoring requirements, meteorological restrictions, and other useful information of the five main bunkering anchorages.
A summary is provided by Oasis P&I and can be read here
Shandong Maritime Safety Administration recently issued recommended route for fishing vessels in the densely navigated area in southeast of Shidao, Shandong Province of China along with the navigation guidelines for the vessels in this area.
Club correspondent Huatai Marine has issued its circular PNI [2024] 03 which advises of the new baselines as of 1 March 2024.
Club correspondent Huatai Marine has issued its circular PNI [2024] 02 which updates the public routes and anchorages along the coast of Nantong.
Explanations and specific geographical coordinates of the navigation the routes of the public routes, main channels and anchorages are published in the circular which can be accessed through the below links.
Huatai Marine suggestions for navigating the coast of Nantong are as follows:
The announcement and adoption of public routes and main channels along the coast of Nantong provide strong guarantees for ships safely entering and leaving Nantong seaports. It is recommended that when ships navigating in these waters should, as far as possible, give priority to the use of public routes and channels published by the MSA.
The public routes entering and leaving Nantong seaports intersect with the north-south customary route (inner route), and a large number of merchant ships converged in this water area, forming crossing, head-on and other situations. Therefore ships should strictly comply with COLREGS in order to avoid the occurrence of collision accidents when navigating in the public routes in these waters.
It is worth noting that there are a large number of fishing boats operating in these waters, thus ships should proactively take reasonable measures to pass and clear all fishing boats, including their fishing gear and nets.
Due to the influence of natural conditions and surrounding environment, there are numerous shoals in the water area off Nantong seaports. When a ship is navigating in the vicinity of the shoals, particularly in the channel adjacent to the shoals, special attention should be paid to prevent the occurrence of grounding accidents.
An update on the fishery farms located in the waters off Tianjin Port and Yantai Port.
Oasis P&I report that the MSA offices of Tianjin, Liaoning, Hebei and Shandong jointly published 27 navigation routes within the Bohai Sea and sea area to the east effective from 18 December 2023. This area has been frequent locations of collision incidents and fish farm claims in recent years.
Routes for common navigation methods in Haizhou Bay jointly published by Lianyungang and Shandong MSA.
Outlines the distribution of major fishery farms along the coast of China, near Rizhao/Lanshan Port and Dalian Port.
Oasis P&I has issued a circular which identifies 38 ‘high risk water areas’ along the Chinese coast where China MSA advise that vessels should “strengthen proper lookout and maintain careful navigation to avoid collision with fishing boats”.
Oasis P&I has issued a circular which identifies ‘high risk water areas’ in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea where collision incidents between vessels and fishing boats are more frequent.
The lifting of the 2023 summer fishing ban in China is expected to result in increased fishing vessel traffic in coastal waters and the associated risk of collision. Huatai outlines which areas are affected and the dates of lifting of the fishing ban.
Effective 15 August 2023, vessels planning to enter the Yangtze estuary deepwater channel – also referred to as the ‘North Channel’ – are to conduct self-inspection of critical equipment such as the main propulsion machinery, rudder system, main power supply, and emergency power supply.
Guidance on the precautions for the safe navigation of foreign ships within waters under the jurisdiction of the Yangshan MSA.
Read the Shanghai P&I Services circular here
The Yuxingnao waters, located on the west side of Yushan Island, is an area with high maritime traffic density. The new navigational requirements have been introduced to improve traffic flow and reduce the risk of collisions.
The revisions, which will take effect on 1 May 2023, apply to vessels and facilities that are navigating, berthing, and operating within the Vessel Traffic Management System area of the Rizhao Maritime Safety Administration, which comprises the VTS service areas of Rizhao and Lanshan.
Shanghai P&I Services has issued a circular detailing the reporting and routing requirements, which can be read here
Guangxi MSA has introduced new navigation requirements to optimise shipping routes and prevent collisions in the Beibu Gulf. The new arrangements, which took effect on 10 March 2023, create five main shipping routes and sixteen branch routes.
Shanghai P&I Services has issued a circular detailing the changes and the new routes, which can be read here
Shanghai MSA revised and issued the Measures for the Administration of Ship Crude Oil Washing Operations (formerly titled “the Measures for the Administration of Ship Crude Oil Washing Operations in Shanghai Port, hereinafter referred to as the “Measures”) on November 14, 2025, which came into force on January 1, 2026. This revision aims to address potential risks arising from the trend of upsizing of ships and increased frequency of crude oil transportation, and to further standardise the safety and pollution prevention management of crude oil washing (COW) operations of ships within the waters under the jurisdiction of Shanghai MSA (including Shanghai Port and its surrounding waters).
Following the issuance of Huatai Circulars PNI [2018]11 "China Amended ‘Discharge Standard for Water Pollutants from Ships’" and PNI [2022]08 "Regulations on Disposal of Food Wastes in Chinese Coasts and Loss Prevention Suggestions", Huatai has successively received compliance consultations from Shipowners and Clubs regarding the discharge of water pollutants from ships in Chinese coastal waters (particularly in the Bohai Sea). This Circular systematically outlines the discharge control requirements for water pollutants from ships in Chinese coastal waters, with an aim to address these concerns and provide practical compliance guidance for Clubs and their Members.
The Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) of the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China revised and issued the 2025 edition of the Administrative Measures for the Ship Pollution Response Agreement Regime (hereinafter referred to as the "New Measures"). The New Measures shall come into force on May 20, 2025, and its 2020 edition shall be repealed simultaneously.
Core amendments and their significance can be found in the circular below.
Recently, ships are reportedly penalised by local maritime authorities in China for failure to use shore power when they are supposed to in line with relevant laws.
A summary of the local requirements is compiled in the circular to assist members and owners to be compliant and to avoid possible penalties.
Soybean heat damage claims has been an ongoing topic in recent years in China due to its size, frequency, and controversy about the cause of the damage as well as disputes over how to ascertain the actual extent and amount of the damage.
Oasis P&I shares more on claims handling and suggestions in those scenarios.
Specific situations and relevant policies of the ship’s use of shore power (Alternative Maritime Power (AMP), Cold Ironing, Onshore Power Supply (OPS)) in Chinese Ports are explained.
The amended Marine Environment Protection Law of came into effect on 1 January 2024. It provides an institutional upgrading and strengthening of all aspects of the prevention and control of pollution from vessels into the sea.
Significant changes related to the prevention and control of ship pollution under the new Maritime Environmental Protection Law that have been summarised for easy reference.
To prevent and control pollution from ships in the Yangtze River, the Shanghai Municipality and Jiangsu Province have enforced new regulations which came into effect from 1st March 2023.
The Tokyo and Paris Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) will jointly conduct a Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on the securing of cargo units and cargo transport units from September 1 to November 30, 2026. As a member authority of the Tokyo MoU, the China Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) will implement this campaign across major ports, including Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Ningbo, Dalian, and Tianjin. All deficiencies identified during inspections will be recorded in the Port State Control (PSC) database, directly impacting vessel risk profiles and the performance records of both shipping companies and flag states.
The current CIC will be conducted in conjunction with routine PSC inspections. Accordingly, China MSA will not arrange separate boarding inspections. Nevertheless, all 10 items listed in the standardized questionnaire jointly developed by the two MOUs will be verified during the inspection.
Questionnaire and recommendations are in the circular below.
According to a notice published on the official website of Tianjin Maritime Safety Administration (Tianjin MSA) on June 5, 2026, the maritime authorities of Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, and Shandong have jointly launched a special campaign on ship pollution prevention and control in the Bohai Sea region (hereinafter referred to as the "Campaign"), with a duration of nearly five months. Members are hereby reminded to prepare for inspections in advance to guard against administrative penalties and detention risks.
Under Chinese laws and regulations, the use of unauthorized satellite communication equipment or the failure to route communication data through Chinese domestic satellite gateway stations constitutes a violation.
This circular outlines the administrative penalties and recommendations for vessels in Chinese waters.
This FAQ outlines the outlines the regulatory requirements, consequences of violations, and recommended compliance measures regarding the Starlink direct-to-terminal services in Chinese Waters.
According to the GACC notice, for the soybean cargo from the five exporters, if the Cargo Quarantine Certificate has been issued before the suspension was imposed and the cargo already shipped, the customs clearance will not be halted at the discharge port; however, if the Cargo Quarantine Certificate was issued after the notice was published, the import clearance might be prohibited.
Entering ship’s enclosed spaces poses risks of asphyxiation, poisoning, fire and explosion, as well as risk of work-related injuries. The inspection campaign on ships’ enclosed spaces will be from 15 January 2025 to 14 October 2025. A summary of the campaign is given below to assist our clients to be compliant and to avoid possible problems.
It is reported that China Maritime Safety Administration (China MSA) has recently launched a nine-month special campaign against illegal entry into dangerous enclosed spaces onboard ships. This circular will elaborate on the campaign and provide relevant suggestions for loss prevention.
The circular elaborates on the coverage area of the law enforcement, its possible impacts, and loss prevention suggestions.
Special inspection action initiated by China MSA to prevent ship mechanical and electrical equipment failures are the ships that entering the Chinese ports (including seaports and river ports). The special action will start from 7 April 2024 and end on 31 October 2024.
Following the tightened control by Shanghai MSA and Shandong MSA on main engine failures last year, China MSA issued a notice recently announcing a nationwide campaign focusing on prevention of vessel mechanical and electrical failures in Chinese waters from 7 April to 31 October 2024.
China MSA has published new rules of intensified monitoring and inspection of targeted (‘listed’) vessels which will come into effect as of 01 Dec 2023.
China MSA has published new provisions on inspection of targeted (‘listed’) vessels which will come into effect as of 01 Dec 2023.
Huatai Marine advise that they have recently dealt with a number of cases where vessels have been penalised by the Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) for failing to fly, improperly flying, or flying a damaged or defiled national flag of the People’s Republic of China.
In their circular PNI [2023] 08, Huatai Marine outline the legislation pertaining to the flying of the Chinese national flag, which can be read here
On October 28, 2025, the newly revised Maritime Code of the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “new Maritime Code”) was adopted at the 18th Session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress. The new Maritime Code consists of 16 chapters and 310 articles and will officially come into force on May 1, 2026. This revision focuses on four core directions: unifying domestic and international maritime rules, addressing trends in shipping digitalisation, improving the systems related to 2 marine ecological and environmental protection, and optimising the system for the application of foreign-related laws. Additionally, it comprehensively enhances the rights and interests protection mechanisms for various entities in the shipping field.
This Circular will rely on practical experience in handling P&I cases, combined with specialised interpretations from government departments and authoritative legal experts, to introduce the key chapters of this revision, accompanied by a comparison table of old and new provisions (read the circular below). This document serves as a resource to assist the
Clubs and their Members in enhancing risk control and compliance operations.
On Nov 10, 2025, Ministry of Transport of China released announcement on the Suspension
of Special Port Dues for U.S. - Linked Vessels for one year, starting from 1301 hrs on Nov 10, 2025. For details of the announcement, read the circular below.
English and Chinese – read here
On October 28, 2025, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of People’s Republic of China voted to adopt the newly revised Maritime Code, which will come into effect on May 1, 2026.
The newly revised Maritime Code consists of 16 chapters and 310 articles. The Director of the Civil Law Office of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee provided a summary of the amendments in an official interview, which are provided in the circular below.
On Oct 10, 2025, Ministry of Transport of China announces decision to impose special port dues on relevant vessels, as a response to the measures announced on April 17, 2025, by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). Following its Section 301 investigation into China's maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors, the United States will impose additional port service fees on vessels owned or operated by Chinese companies, vessels flying the Chinese flag, and vessels built in China, effective from October 14, 2025.
English - read here
