Decision of State Council on Revising Regulations on International Maritime Shipping Released
ISSUING AUTHORITY:
The State Council
DATE OF ISSUANCE:
September 28, 2025
EFFECTIVE DATE:
October 5, 2025
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a State Council decree to revise the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on International Maritime Shipping (the “Regulations”). The revision, adopted at the 68th Executive Meeting of the State Council on September 12, 2025, marks the fifth amendment to the Regulations, aiming to refine supervision and adapt to industry development.
The amendment focuses on three key adjustments. First, it expands the scope of auxiliary businesses related to international maritime transport, explicitly incorporating "international shipping trading platform services" into the existing category (which originally covered international ship agency, ship management, etc.), in response to the digital transformation trend of the maritime sector. Second, it strengthens the supervision of international shipping trading platforms: operators must file information such as their name, registration address, and platform service agreements with the competent maritime department under the State Council; those who fail to comply may face fines ranging from RMB 20,000 to RMB 100,000, or even suspension of business in serious cases. Third, it enhances countermeasures against discriminatory practices: if a foreign country or region violates relevant maritime treaties with China or imposes discriminatory restrictions on Chinese maritime operators, ships, or crew, China has the right to take reciprocal measures such as suspending the performance of treaty obligations.
For core maritime operations, the amendment maintains strict qualification requirements for operators of international passenger shipping and bulk liquid dangerous goods shipping (e.g., holding legal person status, owning compliant ships). In contrast, operators of international container shipping, general cargo shipping, and non-vessel shipping businesses only need to complete streamlined filing procedures with provincial maritime authorities within 15 days of starting their business.
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