The newly enforced “Regulations on Ships’ Routeing System for the Shanghai Section of the Yangtze River (2024)”, issued by the Maritime Safety Administration of the People’s Republic of China, came into effect on July 15, 2024.
This updated routeing system introduces several key revisions aimed at enhancing the safe and efficient navigation of vessels in one of the world’s busiest waterways.
New Provisions
Seven provisions are added to the “Routeing System (2024)”, namely the Article 14, Article 15, Article22, Article 26, Article 29, Article 40 and Article 42. Those new provisions address navigation andreporting requirements, safety measures and traffic security to ensure that all types of ships can navigate the Shanghai Section of the Yangtze River safely and efficiently. Please refer to the attached free translation of the “Routeing System (2024)” for more detailed information.
Revised Provisions
Five articles are revised in the “Routeing System (2024)”, namely the Article 27, Article 28, Article 33,Article 35 and Article 49. Those articles involve special provisions for trial ships, detailed requirements for night navigation of ships in the Shanghai Section of the Yangtze River, updates to communication and reporting requirements, an expansion of the circumstances where ships can meet in the waters on both sides of the slope of the deep water channel at the Yangtze River Estuary, as well as the interpretation of some terms, etc., aiming at improving the adaptability and effectiveness of the rules and reflecting the latest legal and regulatory requirements and industry standards. Please refer to the attached free translation of the “Routeing System (2024)” for more detailed information.
Overview of the Revisions
- Encourage LNG ships to use the South Channel under the premise of safety and feasibility. (Article15)
- New requirements have been added for ships intending to enter the Shanghai Section of theYangtze River to conduct testing on their engines, rudders, communication and emergencyequipment, etc. (Article 22)
- New requirements have been added to ensure the safe navigation of large towing fleets. (Article26)
- Optimize and improve the night navigation regulations for specific ships. (Articles 27 and 28)
- The traffic protection provisions for key ships have been refined and improved, and the types ofships that are prioritized for traffic protection have been clearly identified. (Article 29)
- Increase the types of ships that can meet in the 100-meter Slope Water Area of the deepwaterchannel at the Yangtze River Estuary, and restrictions have been imposed on the range of waterswhere new types of ships can meet. (Article 33)
- The reporting requirements for deep draught ships intending to enter the South Channel have beenadded, and the reporting requirements for ships dropping and weighing anchor have been improved.(Article 14 and Article 35)
- The period during which ships engaged in dredging and surveying operations to avoid operationshas been clearly defined. (Article 42)
- The scope of application of the “Routeing System (2024)” is adjusted to include the waters of the North Branch Channel in the waters of the Shanghai Section of the Yangtze River. (Article 49)
- Define the scope of the Artificial Construction Section of the South Channel and clarify theresponsibility of small ships not to impede the safe navigation of certain specific ships. (Articles 40and 49)
- Adjust the buoy numbers and positions of the South Channel. (AppendixⅠ)
- The resources and functions of the anchorage have been optimized by adding anchorage area No.0 at Wusongkou Anchorage and the anchoring time limit of some anchorage areas has been adjusted.(Appendix Ⅳ)
