On February 8, 2022, the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as ‘Shanghai MSA’) issued a notice to clarify the full ingredients disclosure issues on dangerous goods that shipped through the Waigaoqiao Area of Shanghai Port.

As per Article 51-2 of Yangtze River Protection Law of People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as ‘Law’), which took effect on March 1, 2021 (CL news), the transportation of highly toxic chemicals, as well as the transportation of other hazardous chemicals forbidden to be transported by inland waterways, is prohibited in the Yangtze River Basin. The Shanghai Port is China’s largest seaport and an inland port of China’s longest river, the Yangtze River. Waigaoqiao is an important part of Shanghai Port. 

Many shippers have been required to disclose 100% component information on the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to determine if the DG cargoes are prohibited to ship in the Yangtze River Basin, which has caused a lot of confusion and controversies as full disclosure on SDS is not mandatory according to China GHS and obviously it may divulge trade secrets. In this regard, the Shanghai MSA issued the foregoing notice.