China Revises Provisions on Transport of Dangerous Goods by Ships

On January 20, 2025, the Chinese Ministry of Transport (MOT) released the revision to the Provisions on Safety Supervision and Administration of Transport of Dangerous Goods by Ships. It will take effect on March 1 this year to replace the 2018 version.

Carrying dangerous goods by ships is a critical aspect of safety management in waterway transportation and an important area for risk prevention. With the revision of laws and regulations such as the Maritime Traffic Safety Law and the Yangtze River Protection Law, there has been an optimization of safety supervision system, licensing requirements and penalties related to ships carrying dangerous goods. Accordingly, corresponding modifications to the Provisions are needed to implement the requirements of superior laws.

Highlights

• Requiring shippers to provide carriers with more related materials and information on the dangerous goods, e.g., shipping names, type, quantity, hazards, safety measures, emergency response procedures, etc., thereby reducing false reporting and concealment.

• Refining the scope of dangerous goods, oil in bulk should be mandated for enhanced supervision as dangerous goods following the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).

• Further clarifying the licensing system and application materials for ships carrying dangerous goods entering and exiting ports in accordance with the Maritime Traffic Safety Law. Ships carrying dangerous goods entering and exiting ports must meet the specified conditions in Article 21 of the Provisions and obtain approval from maritime management authorities before proceeding.

• Detail the management requirements for the newly established licensing for transshipment of bulk liquid dangerous goods outside the port waters in Article 32 of the Provisions, specifying the necessary application materials.

• Clarifying the penalties for violations concerning dangerous goods and hazardous chemicals:

1. Penalties concerning dangerous goods will be enforced according to the Maritime Traffic Safety Law and the Regulations on the Safety Management of Inland Waterway Traffic.

2. Penalties concerning hazardous chemicals will be enforced according to the Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals (State Council No. 591).

3. For violations that fall under both, penalties will be imposed according to Article 29 of the Administrative Penalty Law.

The Provisions can be accessed here.