27/03/2026
Key Changes for Shippers Under the Revised Maritime Law
On 1 May 2026, the newly revised Maritime Commercial Law will take effect, marking China’s first major upgrade to maritime transport regulations in 30 years. For shippers and freight forwarders, this legal update brings three critical changes reshaping industry operations.
First, carrier liability is significantly increased. The law strengthens carriers’ legal responsibilities for delays, misdelivery and information errors, shifting operational risks upstream. The principle “who controls the information bears the responsibility” becomes the new norm.
Second, transport relationships are restructured. It breaks the domestic-international “dual-track system,” establishing a unified legal framework. Liability boundaries between shipping companies, NVOCCs and forwarders are clearly defined, eliminating role ambiguity and tightening accountability.
Third, digitalization is legally endorsed. Electronic transport documents gain full legal validity, ending the paper-document era. Data becomes legally recognized evidence, driving the industry from experience-driven to data-driven operations.
Under the new framework, logistics visibility becomes essential. Forwarders must provide verifiable tracking data, reconstruct full transport chains and preserve historical records to prove compliance. The industry is entering the “Era of Visibility,” where competition shifts from resources to data capabilities.
