The newly amended Maritime Code of the PRC (Code) was adopted at the 18th session of the 14th National People's Congress Standing Committee on October 28, 2025, which will take effect on May 1, 2026.

The amended Code, spanning 16 chapters and featuring 310 articles, adjusts the rights and obligations of parties involved in maritime activities, to foster stable market expectations through reasonable allocation of responsibilities and risks. To meet the practical needs of digitalization of shipping documents, the revision clarifies the legal status and application rules for electronic transport records, aiming to provide an institutional guarantee for the shipping industry's digital transformation. To meet new requirements for marine environmental protection, the law introduces a new chapter on liability for ship oil pollution damage, further strengthening the legal framework for marine ecological conservation. 

To enhance the internationalization and high-quality development of China’s maritime transport sector, the amended Code specifies that the state supports international cooperation in maritime affairs and promotes the healthy development of the shipping industry.

Additionally, the Code includes revisions and improvements related to the application of law concerning foreign-related relations.

(Source: www.xinhuanet.com)