Effective 21 October! Vessels Entering Shanghai Must Undergo Special Self-Inspection, Special Reporting and Special Inspection!
Notice from the Maritime Safety Administration of the People's Republic of China Regarding Special Safety Supervision of Vessels Entering Shanghai
To ensure the smooth operation of the 8th China International Import Expo, and in accordance with the Maritime Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, the Regulations on the Safety Management of Inland Waterway Traffic of the People's Republic of China, and the Rules for the Safety Supervision of Vessels of the People's Republic of China, our Administration has decided to implement special safety supervision measures for vessels entering Shanghai in the near term. Relevant matters are hereby notified as follows:
I. Implementation Period and Area
(1) From 21 October to 10 November 2025, Chinese-flagged vessels intending to navigate, berth, or operate within the waters of the Huangpu River in Shanghai between Minhang Power Plant and Buoy No. 105 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘controlled waters’) shall conduct special self-inspections, submit special information reports, and undergo special safety inspections.
(2) From 1 November to 10 November 2025, foreign-flagged vessels intending to navigate, berth, or operate within the controlled waters shall undergo specialised security inspections.
II. Specialised Information Reporting for Vessels Entering Shanghai
(i) Vessels departing from domestic ports bound for the controlled waters shall submit specialised information reports via the ‘Maritime Communication’ app prior to departure from the port of origin (reporting guidelines are provided in the appendix). Should a vessel alter its destination to the controlled waters after departure due to unforeseen circumstances, it shall report this prior to entering the controlled waters.
(b) Chinese-flagged vessels engaged in international voyages arriving directly from overseas ports into the controlled waters shall report prior to entry.
(c) Vessels operating on a fixed or long-term basis within the controlled waters for navigation, berthing, or operations shall report by 21 October. Should vessel or crew information change, a new report shall be submitted via the ‘Maritime Pass’ app.
III. Special Safety Inspection for Vessels Entering Shanghai
(1) Vessels intending to depart from domestic ports and enter the controlled waters shall apply to the maritime administration authority at the port of departure for a special safety inspection. Deficiencies must be rectified in accordance with regulations and pass a re-inspection.
(2) Chinese-flagged international vessels arriving directly in the controlled waters from overseas ports shall undergo special safety inspections conducted by the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration.
(3) Vessels operating, berthing, or conducting activities on a fixed or long-term basis within the controlled waters shall apply for special safety inspections with their local maritime administration by 21 October.
(iv) Where any of the following circumstances arise after a vessel has undergone a special safety inspection, a renewed application for such inspection shall be submitted to the local maritime administration:
1. Involvement in a general or higher-grade maritime accident;
2. Failure of primary navigation or pollution prevention equipment;
3. Changes to crew information or discrepancies between the special report and actual circumstances identified during inspection.
IV. Security Special Inspection for Vessels Entering Shanghai
(1) Foreign-flagged vessels intending to depart from domestic ports and enter the controlled waters shall undergo a security special inspection by the maritime administration authority at the vessel's port of departure.
(2) International vessels arriving directly in the controlled waters from overseas ports shall undergo a security special inspection by the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration.
(c) Where any of the following circumstances arise after a vessel has undergone a special security inspection, the vessel shall promptly report to the local maritime administration, which shall conduct a re-inspection:
1. Occurrence of a general or higher-grade maritime traffic accident;
2. Malfunction of primary navigation or pollution prevention equipment;
3. Changes to crew information.
V. Other Requirements
(i) Shipowners or operators shall conscientiously study and implement the requirements of this notice; vessels shall submit special information reports for vessels entering Shanghai as stipulated and shall be responsible for the completeness and authenticity of the reported content; vessels shall strictly conduct self-inspections item by item in accordance with the ‘Special Safety Self-Inspection Checklist for Vessels Entering Shanghai’ (see Annex) and rectify all deficiencies prior to arrival at port.
(2) Vessels shall not carry ‘low-flying, slow-moving, small aircraft’ into the controlled waters. Where on-site disposal presents practical difficulties and carriage is unavoidable, the type, model, and quantity of such aircraft shall be declared in the special report, with clear sealing measures specified. The use of ‘low-flying, slow-moving, small aircraft’ within the aforementioned waters is strictly prohibited.
(iii) Vessels shall ensure their Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Very High Frequency (VHF) radio telephones remain operational, with accurate information input, and maintain uninterrupted onboard communication. Vessels lacking properly installed or damaged AIS and VHF equipment shall not enter the controlled waters. Should such equipment become damaged after entry, the vessel must immediately report to the local maritime administration and comply with its regulatory directives.
(iv) Except in emergencies to ensure vessel safety or rescue lives at sea, vessels shall not deploy any vessel-borne craft (including manned floating devices, work boats, lifeboats, rescue boats, submersibles, unmanned craft, etc.) within the controlled waters between 21 October and 10 November 2025. Should deployment be absolutely necessary, prior notification must be given to the local maritime administration, and deployment may only proceed upon their approval.
Maritime Safety Administration of the People's Republic of China
17 October 2025