Recently, the Ministry of Transport announced the newly revised "Regulations on the Safety Supervision and Management of Dangerous Goods Carried by Vessels" (Ministry of Transport Order No. 14 of 2024, hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations"), which will come into effect on March 1, 2025. What are the changes between the newly revised "Regulations" and the previous ones? Today, let's learn about the specific content together.

01. Background of the Revision

The carriage of dangerous goods by vessels is an important aspect of waterway transport safety management and a key area for safety risk prevention and control in the transportation industry. With the revision and enactment of laws and regulations such as the Maritime Traffic Safety Law and the Yangtze River Protection Law, the management system and penalty provisions related to the carriage of dangerous goods by vessels have been optimized and adjusted. It is necessary to make corresponding amendments to the "Regulations" to implement the requirements of higher-level laws and better adapt to changes in the safety production situation.
 

02. Main Revisions

(1) Optimization of Safety Supervision System: Firstly, improve the notification and reporting obligations of shippers, supplementing the cargo information and relevant materials that shippers need to notify carriers, reducing the phenomenon of false reporting and concealment. Secondly, strengthen the safety supervision of transshipment or washing (cleaning) tanks, venting, and replacement operations on the water, adding the requirement to prepare operation plans. Thirdly, establish a safety operation zone system for transshipment outside port waters. Fourthly, improve the scope of dangerous goods, including bulk oil categories that the International Maritime Organization's documents mandate that contracting states manage in accordance with Annex I of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Convention) under enhanced supervision. (2) Improvement of Licensing Management Requirements: Firstly, in accordance with the Maritime Traffic Safety Law, further clarify the "vessel carriage of dangerous goods entry and exit port" licensing system and application materials. Secondly, the management requirements for the newly established "transshipment operation of bulk liquid dangerous goods outside port waters" license in the Maritime Traffic Safety Law are further refined, clarifying the license application materials. Delete the license-related content for "transshipment operations of bulk liquid polluting hazardous goods" that has been standardized in regulations such as the Regulations on the Prevention and Control of Marine Environmental Pollution by Ships and Related Operations. To further facilitate the relevant parties, in practice, for goods that are both bulk liquid dangerous goods and bulk liquid polluting hazardous goods, the maritime administration agency has optimized the licensing procedure, and applicants can submit one application to handle both licenses simultaneously. (3) Adjustment of Administrative Penalty Provisions: This revision mainly adjusts the administrative penalties as follows: Firstly, for penalty matters that have been clearly defined in higher-level laws such as the Maritime Traffic Safety Law and the Inland River Traffic Safety Management Regulations, the "Regulations" no longer repeat the provisions. Secondly, further clarify the relationship between dangerous goods and dangerous chemicals. Penalties for dangerous goods are imposed in accordance with the Maritime Traffic Safety Law and the Inland River Traffic Safety Management Regulations; penalties for dangerous chemicals are imposed in accordance with the Regulations on the Safety Management of Dangerous Chemicals; for those that are both dangerous chemicals and dangerous goods, penalties are imposed in accordance with Article 29 of the Administrative Penalty Law.
 

03. Original Text of the New Regulations

Regulations on the Safety Supervision and Management of Dangerous Goods Carried by Vessels

Chapter 1 General Provisions

Article 1 To strengthen the supervision and management of dangerous goods carried by vessels, protect the safety of lives and property on the water, and prevent ships from polluting the environment, these Regulations are formulated in accordance with the Maritime Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, the Port Law of the People's Republic of China, the Inland River Traffic Safety Management Regulations of the People's Republic of China, and other laws and administrative regulations.

Article 2 These Regulations apply to the activities of vessels carrying dangerous goods in waters under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China.

Article 3 The Ministry of Transport is in charge of the national safety management of dangerous goods carried by vessels. The Maritime Safety Administration of the Ministry of Transport is responsible for the national safety supervision and management of dangerous goods carried by vessels. Maritime administration agencies at all levels are specifically responsible for the safety supervision and management of dangerous goods carried by vessels according to their respective duties and powers.

Chapter 2 Management of Vessels and Personnel

Article 4 Owners, operators, or managers of vessels engaged in the transport of dangerous goods shall establish and implement corresponding systems or regulations in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Transport concerning safe operation and pollution prevention management systems for vessels. Operators or managers of vessels engaged in the transport of dangerous goods shall assign dedicated safety management personnel.

Article 5 Vessels carrying dangerous goods shall prepare safety and pollution prevention contingency plans and be equipped with corresponding emergency rescue, fire-fighting, and personnel protection equipment and materials.

Article 6 Vessels carrying dangerous goods shall pass inspection by legally established vessel inspection institutions, obtain corresponding certificates and documents, and maintain good condition. Vessels carrying dangerous goods shall meet the requirements of relevant laws, administrative regulations, rules, mandatory standards, and technical specifications in terms of hull, structure, equipment, performance, and layout; international voyages carrying dangerous goods shall also comply with the provisions of relevant international conventions and have corresponding seaworthiness and suitability conditions.

Article 7 Vessels carrying dangerous goods shall install and use shipborne equipment such as automatic identification systems in accordance with regulations. Vessel operators and managers shall strengthen the dynamic management of vessels.

Article 8 Except for dangerous chemicals prohibited from inland river transportation by laws and administrative regulations, vessels transporting dangerous chemicals through inland rivers shall comply with the requirements of the State Council's transportation authority on the classification management of dangerous chemicals.

Shippers are prohibited from carrying dangerous goods in ordinary goods or falsely reporting or concealing dangerous goods as ordinary goods for shipment.

When passenger and cargo ships or roll-on/roll-off passenger ships with corresponding qualifications carry dangerous goods, they shall not carry passengers, except for escort personnel and roll-on/roll-off vehicle drivers in accordance with relevant regulations. Other passenger ships are prohibited from carrying dangerous goods.

Article 9 The carriage of dangerous goods by vessels shall comply with relevant safety technical specifications for the stowage, segregation, and transportation of dangerous goods, and meet the requirements of the corresponding suitability certificates.

Vessels shall not load or carry dangerous goods that do not comply with the packaging, stowage, and segregation safety technical specifications. Vessels carrying packaged dangerous goods shall also comply with the requirements of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code; vessels carrying Group B solid bulk cargoes shall also comply with the requirements of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code.

Article 10 Crew members of vessels engaged in the transport of dangerous goods shall hold special training certificates as prescribed, be familiar with the safety knowledge and operating procedures for carrying dangerous goods on their vessels, and understand the nature of the dangerous goods being transported and the safety prevention and emergency response measures.

Article 11 Personnel handling the declaration or reporting of dangerous goods and personnel inspecting container packing on-site in accordance with these Regulations shall be familiar with relevant regulations, technical specifications, and declaration procedures. Maritime administration agencies shall conduct supervisory spot checks on the daily work of dangerous goods declaration or reporting personnel and on-site container packing inspectors, and implement a credit management system.

Article 12: When the maritime administration agency, in accordance with its responsibilities and the relevant regulations of the Ministry of Transport, inspects statutory certificates and documents on site, if it finds that a vessel engaged in waterway transportation cannot provide valid vessel operating documents, it shall notify the relevant competent authorities to handle the matter according to law.

Chapter 3 Packaging and Container Management

Article 13: The packaging of dangerous goods intended for carriage by vessels shall meet the requirements of relevant regulations, technical specifications, and international conventions, and shall obtain the corresponding inspection certificate in accordance with the law.

Article 14: The use of new or improved packaging types for dangerous goods intended for carriage by vessels shall comply with the provisions of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code concerning equivalent packaging, and the performance test report, inspection certificate, or documents of the packaging shall be submitted to the maritime administration agency.

Article 15: Shipping containers carrying dangerous goods and containers used for the carriage of dangerous chemicals on vessels shall be inspected and approved by legally established vessel inspection agencies in accordance with relevant laws and administrative regulations before they can be used for vessel transportation.

Article 16: Packages, intermediate bulk containers, large packages, and freight transport units of dangerous goods intended for carriage by vessels shall display the marks, labels, and plates indicating the characteristics of the dangerous goods in accordance with regulations.

Article 17: Shipping containers intended for the carriage of dangerous goods shall be undamaged, and the interior shall be clean, dry, and free from contamination, meeting the requirements of the cargo to be carried. Shipping containers and other freight transport units under fumigation shall meet relevant stowage requirements and display fumigation warning plates.

Article 18: Dangerous goods and their packaging loaded into shipping containers shall be intact, without damage, spillage, or leakage, and shall be lined and secured as prescribed. Their stowage and segregation shall comply with relevant safety requirements. Incompatibile dangerous goods shall not be carried in the same container.

Article 19: Container packing inspectors shall conduct on-site inspections of the packing activities of dangerous goods containers carried by vessels. After packing is completed, they shall sign the "Container Packing Certificate" for those that meet the requirements of GB 40163, "Technical Requirements for Safe Packing of Dangerous Goods Containers for Maritime Transport".

Article 20: Empty packaging or empty containers that have previously carried dangerous goods, without cleaning or other measures to eliminate the hazards, shall be treated as packaging or containers containing dangerous goods. Chapter 4 Declaration and Reporting Management

Article 21: Vessels carrying dangerous goods entering and leaving ports shall meet the following conditions and shall be approved by the maritime administration agency before they can enter or leave the port:

(1) The dangerous goods carried meet the requirements for safe water transportation;

(2) The vessel's loading complies with the requirements of the certificates and documents held;

(3) The port, wharf, and berth where the vessel is to berth or carry out dangerous goods handling operations have the dangerous goods handling operating qualifications prescribed by relevant laws and administrative regulations.

Applicants shall complete the declaration procedures for vessels carrying dangerous goods with the maritime administration agency 24 hours before the vessel enters or leaves the port (for voyages less than 24 hours, before leaving the previous port), and submit the following materials:

(1) Vessel Dangerous Goods Declaration Form;

(2) Vessel's Certificate of Suitability;

(3) Port operating license and port dangerous goods handling supplementary certificate prescribed by relevant laws and administrative regulations that the port, wharf, and berth should have.

If a vessel encounters leakage, combustion, or explosion of dangerous goods during transportation, the reasons, control measures taken, and current status shall be explained when completing the declaration procedures for vessels carrying dangerous goods, and a detailed report shall be submitted after arrival at the port.

Vessels with fixed vessels, routes, and cargo types can complete regular declaration procedures. The regular declaration period shall not exceed 30 days.

The format of the vessel dangerous goods declaration form is formulated by the Maritime Safety Administration of the Ministry of Transport, and mainly includes the name, characteristics, and packaging of dangerous goods, as well as the entry, exit, and stay time of the vessel, and a statement that the dangerous goods carried meet the requirements for safe water transportation.

Article 22: The maritime administration agency shall make a decision on approval or disapproval within 24 hours of receiving complete and ready declaration materials for vessels carrying dangerous goods entering and leaving ports; for regular declarations, a decision on approval or disapproval shall be made within 5 working days. If disapproval is given, the applicant shall be informed of the reasons for disapproval. The maritime administration agency shall report the relevant declaration information to the local port administrative department.

Article 23: The shipper of dangerous goods intended for carriage by vessels shall submit the following materials to the carrier before delivery for carriage, stating the formal name, type, quantity, hazardous nature, protective measures to be taken, and emergency response measures in case of danger, etc., and report to the maritime administration agency:

(1) Dangerous Goods Safe Carriage Declaration;

(2) Dangerous Goods Safety Data Sheet;

(3) If approval from relevant departments of the importing and exporting countries is required according to regulations before carriage, valid approval documents shall be submitted;

(4) If inhibitors or stabilizers are added to dangerous goods, an inhibitor or stabilizer addition certificate shall be submitted;

(5) For goods that are not listed in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code and the national dangerous goods name list but have hazardous characteristics, documents issued by relevant professional institutions indicating the hazardous characteristics of the goods and the protective measures to be taken shall be submitted;

(6) If packaged dangerous goods are delivered for carriage, the following materials shall also be submitted:

1. Inspection certificate of packaging, freight transport units, and shipping rigid intermediate bulk containers;

2. If shipping containers are used to carry dangerous goods, a "Container Packing Certificate" shall be submitted;

3. For the carriage of radioactive dangerous goods, relevant materials stipulated in the "Regulations on the Safe Management of Radioactive Material Transportation" and the "International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code" shall be submitted;

4. For the carriage of limited or exempt dangerous goods, a certificate of limited or exempt dangerous goods shall be submitted.

(7) For the delivery and carriage of Group B solid bulk cargo with fluidity characteristics via sea transport, a certificate of cargo transportable moisture limit and cargo moisture content issued by a qualified inspection and testing institution shall also be submitted. The carrier shall review the above cargo information and shall not accept or carry cargo that does not meet the ship's stowage requirements.

Article 24 Before a vessel carrying packaged dangerous goods or Group B solid bulk cargo departs from port, it shall report the loading position list, manifest, or detailed stowage plan of the dangerous goods carried to the maritime administration.

Article 25 The combined transport of two or more dangerous goods with isolation requirements in shipping containers shall comply with the provisions of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code. The shipper of dangerous goods shall report to the maritime administration in advance.

Chapter 5 Operational Safety Management

Article 26 Before loading, vessels carrying dangerous goods shall inspect the transport documents and the suitability of the goods for transport. If any violation of these regulations is found, the goods shall not be loaded.

Article 27 Vessels and wharves engaged in the handling of bulk dangerous goods shall comply with safety and anti-pollution operating procedures, establish and implement a ship-shore safety checklist system, and conduct inspections and fill out the checklist strictly according to its requirements. During the loading and unloading operations of vessels carrying bulk liquid dangerous goods, other irrelevant vessels are prohibited from berthing alongside. The cargo hoses used shall meet the requirements of relevant regulations and technical specifications and shall be inspected regularly.

Article 28 Vessels, wharves, and loading and unloading stations engaged in the handling of bulk liquefied gas shall establish a pre-operation consultation system and reach a written agreement on cargo operation, ballasting operation, and emergency response. Vessels, wharves, and loading and unloading stations engaged in the handling of bulk liquefied natural gas shall also adopt measures such as setting up shore-side emergency shutoff device control points on board during loading operations and ship-side emergency shutoff device control points on shore during unloading operations to ensure that cargo transportation operations can be stopped promptly in case of emergencies. Vessels assisting liquefied gas vessels in berthing and unberthing shall be equipped with fire extinguishing devices and implement fire control. Other irrelevant vessels are prohibited from berthing at liquefied gas wharves and loading and unloading stations during operations.

Article 29 Vessels carrying out dangerous goods lightering operations or vessels carrying dangerous goods carrying out tank cleaning, degassing, or replacement shall comply with national regulations and technical specifications on water traffic safety and the prevention and control of vessel pollution, and shall stay away from designated vessel routes, drinking water source protection areas, ferry crossings, passenger ship wharves, navigable structures, large bridges, underwater passages, underwater or water surface operation or activity safety operation areas, inland waterway routes, and coastal marked routes as much as possible, prepare operation plans, formulate safety and anti-pollution measures and emergency plans, and ensure their effective implementation.

Article 30 During tank cleaning, degassing, or replacement operations of vessels carrying dangerous goods, radar, radiotelegraph, and satellite ship stations shall not be repaired or used; no open flames, welding, or other operations that may generate sparks shall be carried out; and no supply vessels or vehicles shall be used for refueling or adding water to the vessel.

Article 31 When a vessel carrying dangerous goods carries out dangerous goods lightering operations in port waters, the port operator responsible for the lightering operation shall apply to the port administrative department in accordance with the law. When approving the application, the port administrative department shall obtain the consent of the maritime administration for the waters where the vessel lightering operation is to be carried out and shall notify the maritime administration of the approval.

Article 32 Vessels carrying out inland dangerous goods lightering operations or seaborne bulk liquid dangerous goods lightering operations outside port waters shall meet the following conditions:

(1) The vessels or water facilities intended for lightering operations meet the requirements of water traffic safety and prevention and control of vessel pollution of water areas;

(2) The goods to be lightered meet the requirements for safe lightering;

(3) The personnel participating in the lightering operation have the lightering operation capabilities stipulated by laws and administrative regulations;

(4) The intended operation waters, their bottom quality, and surrounding environment are suitable for lightering operations;

(5) The lightering operation does not pose a threat to water resources or nearby military targets or important civilian targets;

(6) There is a safety-compliant lightering operation plan, safety measures, and emergency plan. The applicant shall submit an application to the maritime administration before the operation and submit the following materials:

(1) Application for water lightering operation;

(2) Certificate of suitability for vessels or water facilities intended for lightering operations;

(3) Safety technical specifications for dangerous goods to be lightered;

(4) Proof that the personnel participating in the lightering operation have the lightering operation capabilities stipulated by laws and administrative regulations;

(5) Proof that the intended operation waters, their bottom quality, and surrounding environment are suitable for lightering operations and do not pose a threat to water resources or nearby military or important civilian targets, including the general situation and environmental conditions of the intended lightering operation waters and the conditions restricting operations;

(6) Lightering operation plan, including a list of equipment and materials required for the intended lightering operation and auxiliary vessel information; inspection documents shall be submitted for equipment that requires inspection according to regulations;

(7) Safety measures and emergency plan for lightering operations. From the time the maritime administration receives the complete application materials, it shall make a decision on approval or disapproval within 24 hours for vessels for single-voyage operations and within 5 working days for vessels for multiple-voyage operations in specific waters.

Article 33 Before lightering operations outside port waters, the maritime administration shall reasonably determine the scope of the safe operation area based on factors such as the scope of the lightering operation waters, natural environment, and traffic conditions, and shall announce it to the public. Vessels engaged in lightering operations shall operate within the safe operation area, set up safety warning signs, and be equipped with necessary safety facilities or guard vessels. Irrelevant vessels, offshore facilities, or inland floating facilities shall not enter.

Article 34 Vessels engaged in operations involving the bunkering of liquefied natural gas and other gaseous fuels with low flash point characteristics shall comply with relevant regulations, standards, and operational procedures, implement safety measures, and report information such as the type, time, location, unit, and vessel name of the operation to the maritime administration before commencing the operation; if the operation information changes, supplementary reports shall be made promptly. When vessels supply cargo fuel to waterborne bunkering vessels and barges carrying liquefied natural gas and other gaseous fuels with low flash point characteristics, the requirements for waterborne lightering in these regulations shall be followed.

Article 35 Vessels carrying dangerous goods shall comply with regional special regulations of the maritime administration regarding navigation routes, fairways, etc. Vessels carrying explosives, radioactive materials, organic peroxides, flammable liquids with a flash point below 28℃, and bulk liquefied gas shall not be towed in mixed formation with other barges.

Article 36 Bulk liquefied natural gas vessels shall report their estimated time of arrival (ETA) to the maritime administration of the arrival port 72 hours before arrival (or when departing from the previous port if the voyage is less than 72 hours). If the estimated time of arrival changes, the time of arrival shall also be reported 24 hours before arrival (or when departing from the previous port if the voyage is less than 24 hours).

Article 37 Bulk liquefied gas vessels entering and exiting ports, and berthing or operating in port, shall implement safety assurance measures in accordance with relevant standards and specifications. For gas trials conducted in navigable waters, the gas trial operating unit shall formulate a trial plan and organize safety risk assessments, and implement safety management measures. Vessels carrying bulk liquefied natural gas and other gaseous fuels with low flash point characteristics, when entering and exiting coastal ports, and berthing or operating in port, shall conduct special demonstrations to determine safety assurance measures such as escort, safe distance, emergency anchorage, and safety warning signs. Vessels carrying bulk liquefied natural gas and other gaseous fuels with low flash point characteristics, when navigating, berthing, or operating in inland rivers, shall implement the safety assurance measures announced by the maritime administration. The maritime administration shall evaluate and demonstrate based on local actual conditions, determine safety assurance measures such as escort, reasonable safe distance, and sound and light warning signs, and announce them to the public after soliciting opinions from relevant port and shipping management departments. If the vessel tonnage, type of cargo carried, navigation area, and route are the same, and there have been no significant changes in the surrounding navigation safety conditions, re-evaluation and demonstration are not required.

Article 38 When vessels carrying dangerous goods experience maritime incidents, traffic accidents, excessive emissions, dangerous goods falling overboard, and other incidents, they shall report to the maritime administration in accordance with regulations, and promptly activate emergency plans to prevent the expansion of damage or harm. Upon receiving the report, the maritime administration shall immediately verify the relevant circumstances, report to the superior maritime administration and local people's government at or above the county level in accordance with the requirements of relevant emergency plans, and take corresponding emergency measures.

Article 39 After inland vessels carrying bulk liquid dangerous goods complete unloading, the cargo spaces shall be cleaned at wharves, dedicated anchorages, washing stations, etc., that have tank washing capabilities. The tank washing water shall be delivered to port reception facilities, vessel pollutant reception units, or professional reception units for reception and treatment. Inland vessels carrying bulk liquid dangerous goods may be exempt from the cleaning stipulated in the preceding paragraph if they meet one of the following conditions:

(1) The cargo to be loaded on the vessel is consistent with the unloaded cargo;

(2) The cargo to be loaded on the vessel is compatible with the unloaded cargo, with the consent of the owner of the cargo to be loaded;

(3) A ventilation procedure confirmed by the maritime administration as an alternative to cleaning has been implemented. If the unloading port does not have reception capacity, and the vessel obtains written consent from the next port to receive the tank washing water, cleaning may be carried out at the next port, and the maritime administration shall be reported promptly.

Article 40 Vessels carrying dangerous goods shall display special warning signs and dedicated signals as required when navigating, loading and unloading, or berthing. Vessels carrying bulk liquefied natural gas navigating in inland rivers shall determine their navigation plan and route in advance. If vessels carrying bulk liquefied natural gas enter inland waters from coastal areas, they shall report their navigation plan and route to the maritime administration of the first inland port they pass through; if the origin is an inland port, the vessel shall report its navigation plan and route to the maritime administration of the origin.

Chapter 6 Legal Liabilities

Article 41 The maritime administration shall supervise and inspect vessels carrying dangerous goods in accordance with the law. If the maritime administration finds safety hazards in vessels carrying dangerous goods, it shall order their immediate elimination or elimination within a time limit; if the relevant units and individuals fail to eliminate them immediately or within the prescribed period, the maritime administration may, in accordance with the provisions of laws and administrative regulations, take measures such as prohibiting their entry or departure from port, or ordering them to suspend navigation, change course, or stop operations.

Article 42 If vessels carrying dangerous goods violate these regulations, the maritime administration shall impose penalties in accordance with relevant regulations and these regulations. If a crime is suspected, the maritime administration shall transfer the case to the national judicial authorities in accordance with the law.

Article 43 In violation of these regulations, if a consignor transports dangerous goods in inland navigable waters under any of the following circumstances, the maritime administration shall order correction and impose a fine of not less than 3,000 yuan but not more than 30,000 yuan:

(1) Concealing dangerous goods in ordinary cargo or falsely reporting or covertly reporting dangerous goods as ordinary cargo for consignment;

(2) Failing to properly package dangerous goods and display signs, markings, and labels in accordance with relevant regulations;

(3) Failing to inform the carrier of cargo information such as the official name, type, quantity, dangerous nature, protective measures to be taken, and emergency response measures in case of danger for the consigned dangerous goods;

(4) Failing to submit documents issued by relevant professional institutions in accordance with the law, indicating the dangerous characteristics of the cargo and the protective measures to be taken.

Article 44 In violation of these regulations, if vessels carrying dangerous goods engage in loading, unloading, or lightering operations of dangerous goods in inland navigable waters without complying with relevant mandatory standards and safety operation procedures, the maritime administration shall order correction and impose a fine of not less than 5,000 yuan but not more than 30,000 yuan on the owner, operator, or manager of the offending vessel, and a fine of not less than 1,000 yuan but not more than 10,000 yuan on the master, responsible crew members, or other responsible personnel.

Article 45 In violation of these regulations, if a "Container Packing Certificate" is signed for a dangerous goods container that does not comply with the "Safety Technical Requirements for Packing of Dangerous Goods Containers for Maritime Transport," the maritime administration shall order correction and impose a fine of not less than 1,000 yuan but not more than 30,000 yuan on the unit employing the container packing on-site inspector.

Article 46 In violation of these regulations, if there is any of the following circumstances, the maritime administration shall order correction and impose a fine of not less than 500 yuan but not more than 30,000 yuan:

Failure of the shipper of dangerous goods carried by the delivered vessel to report to the maritime administration;

Failure to submit the list, manifest, or detailed stowage plan to the maritime administration as required before the vessel carrying packaged dangerous goods or Group B solid bulk cargo departs;

Failure of liquefied natural gas vessels to report their estimated time of arrival to the maritime administration as required;

Failure of liquefied natural gas vessels to report their voyage plan and route to the maritime administration as required when navigating inland rivers.

Article 47 If a staff member of the maritime administration engages in serious dereliction of duty such as abuse of power, favoritism, or neglect of duty, they shall be dealt with according to law by their unit or superior authority; if the circumstances are serious enough to constitute a crime, the judicial authorities shall pursue criminal liability according to law.

Chapter 7 Appendix

Article 48 The dangerous goods carried by vessels as referred to in these Regulations include:

1. Packaged dangerous goods listed in Part 3 of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code), as well as other packaged goods not listed but assessed as having safety hazards;

2. Group B solid bulk cargoes in Annex 1 of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code), as well as other solid bulk cargoes assessed as having chemical hazards;

3. Bulk oils listed in Annex I to MARPOL Convention (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Annex I, as well as bulk oils that the International Maritime Organization has mandated through documents that contracting states manage in accordance with MARPOL Convention Annex I;

4. Bulk liquid chemicals listed in Chapter 17 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code), as well as other bulk liquid chemicals not listed but assessed as having safety hazards;

5. Bulk liquefied gases listed in Chapter 19 of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code), as well as other bulk liquefied gases not listed but assessed as having safety hazards;

6. Other dangerous goods stipulated in international treaties or national standards to which China is a party or signatory. Substances listed in the Catalogue of Dangerous Chemicals that do not fall under the dangerous goods stipulated in the preceding paragraph shall be implemented in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Regulations on the Safe Management of Dangerous Chemicals.

Article 49 Group B solid bulk cargoes as referred to in these Regulations refer to cargoes listed as Group B cargoes or simultaneously listed in both Group A and Group B in the "Group" column of Annex 1 of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code.

Article 50 The transportation of dangerous chemicals prohibited from inland river transportation through other means shall comply with the requirements of relevant laws, regulations, and standards. Article 51 These Regulations shall come into force on March 1, 2025. The Regulations on the Safety Supervision and Administration of Dangerous Goods Carried by Vessels, promulgated on July 31, 2018, by Order No. 11 of the Ministry of Transport in 2018, shall be repealed simultaneously.