
Shipping
China Updates its Maritime Code and Redefines Rules for Cargo Transport and Claims
China implemented the first comprehensive update to its Maritime Code since 1993, effective May 1, 2026. The updated code comprises 16 chapters and 310 articles regulating international maritime transport, cargo contracts, insurance, and claims. The new Article 295 stipulates that contracts linked to Chinese ports must be governed by the Chinese Maritime Code, expanding the obligations of shipping companies and extending the concept of "actual carrier" to logistics operators and port terminals.






















