Key practical points:
• Vessels must be registered and hold valid seaworthiness certificates and safety documents.
• Seafarers must hold competency certificates matching the vessel type and their duties on board.
• In some cases foreign vessels entering Chinese territorial waters must report in advance to the maritime authorities.
• Rules govern traffic organization, navigation channels, and reporting of accidents or pollution.
• When danger arises, the vessel and crew must take part in search and rescue and report immediately.
• Violations include sailing without certificates or causing accidents, leading to fines, vessel detention, and certificate withdrawal.
Maritime Traffic Safety Law · Yalla China
中华人民共和国海上交通安全法 / Maritime Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China
Enacted: 2021-04-29 ✅ Effective: 2021-09-01
📝 Overview
A law governing traffic safety in China's maritime waters vessel registration, seafarer qualifications, navigation, and search and rescue. It was fully revised in 2021 to strengthen safety supervision.
This is general information only, not legal advice. For your specific case, consult a licensed lawyer.
📜 The law text / key provisions
💬 Practical reading
💬 This is a general reading/opinion for orientation — not the official legal text nor legal advice.
Shipping and navigation companies must confirm vessel and seafarer certificates and reporting rules when entering Chinese waters, especially after the 2021 tightening. This is general orientation, not legal advice.
📎 Official source
npc.gov.cn
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026