China declares special safety inspections in Xiamen

The American P&I Club issued a notice to inform that the Maritime Safety Agency (MSA) of the People’s Republic of China is initiating a special safety inspection program, with effect from June 1, 2017.

The program foresees the following:

1. From June 1, 2017 to September 5, 2017, all Chinese ships intending to enter into waters under the administration and control of Xiamen to navigate (excluding those passing-by only), berth or carry out operations, shall apply for a special safety inspection to be conducted onboard such ship.
2. From August 1, 2017 to September 5, 2017, in conjunction with port state control inspections for all foreign ships engaged in international voyages and intending to enter into waters under the administration and control of Xiamen to navigate (excluding those passing-by only), berth or carry out operations, special security inspections shall also take place on such ships.
3. From June 1, 2017 to September 5, 2017, any Chinese ship intending to enter into waters under the administration and control of Xiamen to navigate (excluding those passing-by only), berth or carry out operations shall, before departing from the last port, report special information to the local MSA of the presence of such ship, and, where the last port was a foreign port, shall report such special information when handling port entry formalities.

The Club reminds operators on the reporting requirements:

1. Checklist Form for Special Safety inspection for Ship (sea-going ship)
2. Report Form for Information of Crewmembers Onboard
3. Report Form of Ship Information
4. Form of Information for Persons in Charge and Contact Persons in Provincial MSAs

Additional information may be found in the Notice of China MSA: