American P&I Club has issued a circular to inform of a requirement in China for large vessels to report AIS data while transiting Chinese waters.
In particular, according to the American Club, PRC’s Maritime Safety Agency (MSA) has implemented a new requirement for vessels of 80 meters (262 feet) or more in length, excluding passenger vessels and vessels on trial voyages, to report their Automatic Identification System (AIS) information to local MSA authorities while transiting through designated Chinese waters. The details of the requirement, including designated regions and reporting procedures, are outlined below:
Designated waters where the requirement is in effect
- Bohai Rim region: Vessel traffic service (VTS) areas under the jurisdiction of Tianjin, Liaoning, Hebei, and Shandong MSAs.
- Yangtze River Delta and Yangtze River region: VTS areas under the jurisdiction of Shanghai, Zhejiang, Fujian, Yangtze River, Jiangsu, and Lianyungang MSAs.
- Pearl River Delta region: VTS areas under the jurisdiction of Guangdong and Shenzhen MSAs.
- Qiongzhou Strait region: Qiongzhou Strait VTS area under the jurisdiction of the Hainan MSA.
- Beibu Gulf region: Beihai, Qinzhou, and Fangcheng VTS areas under the jurisdiction of the Guangxi MSA.
Reporting contents and methods
Vessels are required to report their name and position:
- Upon entering each region: Vessels must submit the information to the local VTS center via high-frequency (VHF) telephone or other effective means when passing through the first VTS reporting line.
- When departing from berth: Vessels must report to the local or designated VTS center via effective means.
Vessels that have completed the above reports are not required to report again when passing through other VTS reporting areas.
It is recommended that vessels ensure their onboard communication devices, such as AIS and VHF equipment, are functioning properly and verify the accuracy of the information displayed on their AIS before entering designated reporting areas.
