On 10 October 2017, China MSA held an expert meeting on the revision of Regulations of PRC on Civil Liability Insurance for Marine Pollution by Ships (“Regulation”) at COPC’s new office in Shanghai. Mr. Zhang Chunchang, the deputy director of Pollution Prevention Division the China MSA, Mr. Zhou Fangzhen from Shanghai MSA and other officials from Shanghai MSA and Changjiang MSA attended the meeting. Experts from COSCO Shipping Energy Transport Co., CPI, PICC Wuhan, the Shipping College of Wuhan University of Science and Engineering, RICC & CO attended the meeting. Greg Wengui Yang from Hai Tong & Partners also attended the meeting as an expert.

At the beginning, COPC introduces the reasons why the Regulations needed to be revised: 1. to meet the urgent need of regulating transportation of oils and dangerous chemical in the inland water after the Regulations on Preventing Pollution Caused by Ships Navigating on In-land Waters; 2. the upper law required compulsory insurance of transporting dangerous chemicals; 3. to unify the documents as proof for liability insurance. Afterwards, COPC gives a brief explanation to the main revisions made on the first revised draft.

During the meeting, experts each air their opinions and advice on the revision of the Regulations. First, the scope of ship regulated by the revised Regulation shall be clearly stipulated. Second, several Terms shall be defined, such as insurance proof, the boundary of inland water and coastal water (especially at the Yangtze Estuary), and dangerous chemical as cargo. Third, the verification of insurance certificate and qualification of insurance companies/Clubs and the three months run off period of blue card. Forth, the arrangement of liability insurance for vessels conducting sea trials.

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Zhang Chunchang gave a closing speech.