Guideline eases use of maritime mediation centers

Disputes involving sailors, shipping companies and maritime enterprises in China can now be resolved more conveniently, swiftly and professionally, thanks to a newly released guideline.

Jointly issued by the Supreme People's Court and the Ministry of Transport on Wednesday, the guideline aims to standardize and promote the development of maritime dispute resolution centers nationwide.

The centers are designed to strengthen mediation and prevention mechanisms in areas that include maritime traffic, seafarer employment, personal injury compensation, vessel pollution and administrative conflicts, thereby enhancing the public's sense of fulfillment, well-being and security.

According to data from the SPC, China had established more than 60 such centers by December 2025, covering coastal regions, the Yangtze River basin and other major inland waterways.

Located at ports, maritime bureaus and other crucial hubs, the centers are led by maritime courts and maritime regulatory departments. Combined, they have gradually formed an integrated dispute resolution system that incorporates administrative mediation, judicial support and social assistance.

Wang Shumei, a standing member of the top court's adjudication committee, said the guideline emphasizes "mediation as a priority", citing the time-sensitive nature of maritime disputes, the high level of expertise required for liability determination and the frequent involvement of cross-border factors.

To improve the quality of dispute resolution, the guideline also calls for regular training of mediators, interpretation of relevant laws and publication of notable cases.

In addition, courts and maritime authorities are urged to share publicly accessible regulatory and judicial data to ensure more efficient handling of disputes.

"Our goal is to make sailors, shipping companies and maritime enterprises feel truly relieved, time-efficient and less burdened when handling disputes," said Xu Wei, head of the ministry's maritime safety administration.

"Previously, parties in a dispute often had to navigate multiple departments for assistance," he said.

"Now, under the guideline, they can more easily access integrated administrative and judicial services through a single platform, enabling mediation, legal consultation and judicial confirmation in one streamlined process," he added.

Xu said resolving disputes through nonlitigation helps reduce costs for parties involved and eases their burden in terms of time, finances and energy. "This is one of the most direct measures to optimize the business environment in the shipping industry and support its economic development."

Shen Hongyu, chief judge of the top court's Fourth Civil Division, said the guideline marks a new phase of collaboration between judicial and administrative authorities in resolving maritime disputes.

While urging courts to provide timely and authoritative legal support to ensure the credibility of mediation outcomes, she also encouraged judges to publish landmark cases to highlight legal risks in the maritime industry and promote its healthy development.

"We support maritime courts nationwide and maritime administrative departments in holding regular meetings and conducting professional exchanges, with plans to organize joint training for maritime judges, law enforcement officers and industry experts to improve dispute resolution capabilities," Shen said.

She added that maritime judicial services will be further expanded online to improve public access.