We have obtained information from Oasis P&I Services Company Limited regarding China’s Maritime Code revised to take effect on 1 May 2026.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of People’s Republic of China voted to adopt the newly revised Maritime Code on 28 October 2025, which will come into effect on 1 May 2026. The newly revised Maritime Code consists of 16 chapters and 310 articles.

The main amendments to China's Maritime Code are as follows:

• Unification of Maritime Rules for Domestic and International Markets: The scope of application for contracts of carriage of goods by sea will include transport between Chinese ports, aiming to better coordinate domestic and international markets.


• Adjustment of Rights and Obligations of Parties in Maritime Activities: The carrier's obligations for "receipt" and "delivery" of goods are clarified, and the definition of actual carrier is adjusted. The carrier’s obligation will be extended to “receive” and “deliver” goods, bearing the increased responsibility more than Hague-Visby Rules.


• Institutional Guarantees for the Digital Development of Shipping: A section on electronic transport records will be introduced, clarifying their legal status and enabling conversion between electronic and physical transport documents.


• Improvement of Systems Related to Marine Ecological Environment Protection: "Strengthening marine ecological environment protection" is added to the legislative purposes, and a new chapter on liability for oil pollution damage from ships is established.


• Improvement of Rules on the Application of Law in Foreign-related Maritime Relations: Mandatory application clauses are added, and rules on the application of law in foreign-related relations are enriched.

For details, please find attached the circular from our China correspondent, Oasis P&I Services Company Limited.