China－Introduction to Key Revisions of the Maritime Code of the People’s Republic of China Following our previous Japan P&I News No.1334 , dated 12 November 2025, concerning the China’s Maritime Code Revised, we have obtained information from Huatai Insurance Agency & Consultant Service Ltd. regarding the introduction of key revisions to the Maritime Code of the People's Republic of China, including a comparison table between the old and new provisions.   The amended Maritime Code of the People's Republic of China will come into effect on 1 May 2026. This marks the first comprehensive overhaul since the Code's enactment in 1993. The primary objectives of the amendments are to adapt to the digitalisation of the shipping industry and environmental regulations, as well as to resolve challenges encountered in judicial practice. In this article, Mr. Minghan Jiang, a Chinese lawyer from Okabe & Yamaguchi, explains key changes as they relate to Contracts of Carriage, Limits of Liability, and Time Limitation as these are of particular relevance to our Members.   Amendments Related to Carriage of Goods   1. Extension of the Carrier's Obligations in respect of Care of Cargo Under the current Code, the scope of the carrier’s obligations to care for cargo are defined as to "load, shift, stow, carry, keep, take care and discharge" the goods. The amended Code adds two new items: "receipt” and “delivery" (Amended Maritime Code, Article 49).   To avoid liability, the carrier is required to prove that it has exercised due diligence to make the vessel seaworthy and has properly fulfilled its obligations to care for the cargo. This extension suggests that carriers may bear a broader burden of proof. Especially in the case of containerised cargo, it is strongly recommended that detailed records be created and maintained at both the time of receipt and time of delivery of the cargo, so that the carrier does not lose the opportunity to assert its defenses.