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1. Liberian Administration vide Marine Operations Note 05/2021, dated 20 September 2021 has informed that an increase in Port State Control inspections in China has been noted. Many of these inspections are reporting deficiencies, including deficiencies that result in detentions. The detainable deficiencies are due to existing conditions, primarily relating to main engine failures, defective Fire Safety Equipment, Pollution Prevention, Life Saving Appliances, Emergency Systems and Safety of Navigation.

2. Further, the Administration has informed that most ship detentions in port result from failure to report and initiate corrective action for existing defective equipment and non-conformities.

3. In this regard, Administration has provided following instructions;

a. Owners/ managers to contact Administration’s Prevention Department prior to vessels arrival at any Chinese ports at prevention@liscr.com to arrange an attendance if assistance is needed. Administration, either through the Prevention Department or through the attending flag State inspector, will advise the owner, operator and Master by email that an attendance has been arranged and will describe the purpose of such attendance.

b. The Liberian flag State inspector will inspect the vessel to verify compliance using the Liberian flag State Inspection Form. Administration has recommended that the crew uses this form as a tool to verify that all areas and equipment are in good working condition.

c. If deficiencies are found, the flag State inspector will communicate them to Liberia’s Prevention Department. At this point, Liberia’s Prevention Department will provide the Master the necessary requirements that must be met prior to departure and will apply the appropriate controls.

d. Before any dispensations or exemptions are issued, the Liberia’s Prevention Department will ensure that all applicable requirements are met.

e. New Reporting system for foreign flagged vessels:

i. All foreign flagged vessels entering the territorial sea of the P.R. China are required to report to the maritime Administration of the P. R. China. The reporting requirements are applicable to;

a. Nuclear vessels.

b. Ships carrying radioactive materials.

c. Ships carrying bulk oil, chemicals, liquefied gas and other toxic and harmful substances.

d. Other vessels that may endanger the maritime traffic safety of the P.R. China.

ii. Vessels or their agents can report through any of the following channels:

    Website: https://www.sh.msa.gov.cn/chnshiprep
    E-mail: chnshiprep@shmsa.gov.cn
    Fax: +86-21-66072764
    Telephone: +86-21-65089469 

iii. When entering the territorial sea of the P.R. China, the vessel is required to report:

a. Ship′s name, call sign, IMO Number, MMSI.

b. Report date and time, ship′s current position.

c. Last port of call and departure time.

d. Next port of call and estimated time of arrival

e. Satellite telephone number.

f. Name of shipborne dangerous goods, UN number (if none, mark with NA), category of noxious substance (if non-applicable, mark with NA), cargo dead weight (ton).

iv No additional reporting is required except if the Automatic Identification System (AIS) is not working properly. In this case, the following additional information is to be reported every two hours until the vessel leaves China's territorial sea

a. Ship′s name, call sign, IMO Number, MMSI.

b. Report date and time, ship′s current position.

c. Estimated course and average speed.

4. Ship owners/ operators and masters of vessels calling Chinese ports are advised to be guided by above and ensure compliance. Penalties for non-compliance to new reporting requirements ranges from fines to being asked to leave China’s waters.

Enclosure:

• Liberia Marine Operations Note 05/2021, dated 20/09/2021.

Disclaimer:

This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority. 

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