Order of the President of the People's Republic of China

No. 28

The Special Maritime Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China, adopted at the 13th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on December 25, 1999, is hereby promulgated and shall enter into force as of July 1, 2000.

Jiang Zemin

President of the People's Republic of China

December 25, 1999

中华人民共和国主席令

第二十八号

    《中华人民共和国海事诉讼特别程序法》已由中华人民共和国第九届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第十三次会议于1999年12月25日通过，现予公布，自2000年7月1日起施行。

中华人民共和国主席 江泽民

1999年12月25日

Special Maritime Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China

中华人民共和国海事诉讼特别程序法

(Adopted at the 13th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress on December 25, 1999)

(1999年12月25日第九届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第十三次会议通过)

Contents

Chapter I General Principles

Chapter II Jurisdiction

Chapter III Preservation of Maritime Claims

Section 1 General Provisions

Section 2 Arrest and Auction of Ships

Section 3 Attachment and Auction of Cargo Carried by Ships

Chapter IV Maritime Injunction

Chapter V Preservation of Maritime Evidence

Chapter VI Maritime Security

Chapter VII Service

Chapter VIII Trial Procedures

Section 1 Provisions for Trial of Collision Cases

Section 2 Provisions for Trial of General Average Cases

Section 3 Provisions for Exercising the Right of Subrogation by Marine Insurers

Section 4 Summary Procedure, Procedure for Hastening Debt Recovery and Procedure for Public Exigence

Chapter IX Procedure for Constitution of Limitation Fund for Maritime Claims

Chapter X Procedure for Registration and Repayment of Debt

Chapter XI Procedure for Exigence of Maritime Liens

Chapter XII Supplementary Provisions

    目 录

    第一章 总 则

    第二章 管 辖

    第三章 海事请求保全

    第一节 一般规定

    第二节 船舶的扣押与拍卖

    第三节 船载货物的扣押与拍卖

    第四章 海事强制令

    第五章 海事证据保全

    第六章 海事担保

    第七章 送 达

    第八章 审判程序

    第一节 审理船舶碰撞案件的规定

    第二节 审理共同海损案件的规定

    第三节 海上保险人行使代位请求赔偿权利的规定

    第四节 简易程序、督促程序和公示催告程序

    第九章 设立海事赔偿责任限制基金程序

    第十章 债权登记与受偿程序

    第十一章 船舶优先权催告程序

    第十二章 附 则

Chapter I General Principles

第一章 总 则

Article 1   This Law is enacted with a view to safeguarding the rights to litigation of the parties to maritime cases and ensuring that the people's courts shall ascertain the facts, establish the liabilities, properly apply the laws and promptly hear and determine maritime cases.

     第一条 为维护海事诉讼当事人的诉讼权利，保证人民法院查明事实，分清责任，正确适用法律，及时审理海事案件，制定本法。

Article 2   The Civil Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China and this Law shall be applicable to maritime actions brought in the People's Republic of China. Where the provisions of this Law are applicable, they shall prevail.

     第二条 在中华人民共和国领域内进行海事诉讼，适用《中华人民共和国民事诉讼法》和本法。本法有规定的，依照其规定。

Article 3   Where any provisions concerning foreign-related maritime actions contained in international conventions entered into or acceded to by the People's Republic of China are different from those contained in the Civil Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China and in this Law, the provisions of such international conventions shall apply, except those on which the People's Republic of China has announced reservation.

     第三条 中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的国际条约与《中华人民共和国民事诉讼法》和本法对涉外海事诉讼有不同规定的，适用该国际条约的规定，但中华人民共和国声明保留的条款除外。

Article 4   The maritime courts shall entertain actions brought by the parties in respect of maritime tort, disputes over maritime contracts and other maritime disputes as provided for by law.

     第四条 海事法院受理当事人因海事侵权纠纷、海商合同纠纷以及法律规定的其他海事纠纷提起的诉讼。

Article 5   In hearing and determining maritime cases, the maritime courts, the higher people's courts of the places where such maritime courts are located and the Supreme People's Court shall apply this Law.

     第五条 海事法院及其所在地的高级人民法院和最高人民法院审理海事案件的，适用本法。

Chapter II Jurisdiction

第二章 管 辖

Article 6   The relevant provisions of the Civil Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China shall apply to territorial jurisdiction of maritime actions.

The territorial jurisdiction of the maritime actions listed hereunder shall be determined as follows:

(1) apart from jurisdiction exercised in accordance with the provisions of Articles 29 to 31 in the Civil Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China, an action brought for maritime tort may also be under the jurisdiction of the maritime court of the place where the ship's port of registry is located;

(2) apart from jurisdiction exercised in accordance with the provisions of Article 28 in the Civil Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China, an action arising from a dispute over a contract for carriage by sea may also be under the jurisdiction of the maritime court of the place where the port of transshipment is located;

(3) an action arising from a charter-party dispute of a seagoing ship shall be under the jurisdiction of the maritime court of the place where the port of delivery, the port of re-delivery, the ship's port of registry and the domicile of the defendant is located;

(4) an action arising from a dispute over a protection and indemnity contract shall be under the jurisdiction of the maritime court of the place where the subject-matter of insurance is located, where the accident occurred or where the domicile of the defendant is located;

(5) an action arising from a dispute over the service contract of the crew of a sea-going ship shall be under the jurisdiction of the maritime court of the place where the domicile of the plaintiff is located, where the contract is signed, where the port of embarkation or disembarkation of the ship's crew is located, or where the domicile of the defendant is located;

(6) an action arising from a dispute over maritime security shall be under the jurisdiction of the maritime court of the place where collateral is located or where the domicile of the defendant is located; an action arising from a dispute over ship mortgage may also be under the jurisdiction of the maritime court of the place where the ship's port of registry is located;

(7) an action arising from a dispute over the ownership, possession, employment and maritime lien of a sea-going ship shall be under the jurisdiction of the maritime court of the place where the ship is located, where the ship's port of registry is located, or where the domicile of the defendant is located.

     第六条 海事诉讼的地域管辖，依照《中华人民共和国民事诉讼法》的有关规定。

    下列海事诉讼的地域管辖，依照以下规定：

    (一)因海事侵权行为提起的诉讼，除依照《中华人民共和国民事诉讼法》第二十九条至第三十一条的规定以外，还可以由船籍港所在地海事法院管辖；

    (二)因海上运输合同纠纷提起的诉讼，除依照《中华人民共和国民事诉讼法》第二十八条的规定以外，还可以由转运港所在地海事法院管辖；

    (三)因海船租用合同纠纷提起的诉讼，由交船港、还船港、船籍港所在地、被告住所地海事法院管辖；

    (四)因海上保赔合同纠纷提起的诉讼，由保赔标的物所在地、事故发生地、被告住所地海事法院管辖；

    (五)因海船的船员劳务合同纠纷提起的诉讼，由原告住所地、合同签订地、船员登船港或者离船港所在地、被告住所地海事法院管辖；

    (六)因海事担保纠纷提起的诉讼，由担保物所在地、被告住所地海事法院管辖；因船舶抵押纠纷提起的诉讼，还可以由船籍港所在地海事法院管辖；

    (七)因海船的船舶所有权、占有权、使用权、优先权纠纷提起的诉讼，由船舶所在地、船籍港所在地、被告住所地海事法院管辖。

Article 7   The following maritime actions shall be under the exclusive jurisdiction of maritime courts specified in this Article respectively:

(1) an action arising from a dispute over coastal port operation shall be under the jurisdiction of the maritime court of the place where the port is located;

(2) an action brought against pollution damage to sea areas caused by discharge, spill or dumping of oil or other hazardous substances from ships, by production or operation at sea or by ship demolition or repair shall be under the jurisdiction of the maritime courts of the place where the pollution occurred, the place that is suffering from the harmful consequences or the place where pollution prevention measures were taken; and

(3) an action arising from a dispute over an offshore exploration and exploitation contract performed within the territory of the People's Republic of China or in the sea area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China shall be under the jurisdiction of the maritime court of the place where the contract is being performed .

     第七条 下列海事诉讼，由本条规定的海事法院专属管辖：

    (一)因沿海港口作业纠纷提起的诉讼，由港口所在地海事法院管辖；

    (二)因船舶排放、泄漏、倾倒油类或者其他有害物质，海上生产、作业或者拆船、修船作业造成海域污染损害提起的诉讼，由污染发生地、损害结果地或者采取预防污染措施地海事法院管辖；

    (三)因在中华人民共和国领域和有管辖权的海域履行的海洋勘探开发合同纠纷提起的诉讼，由合同履行地海事法院管辖。

Article 8   Where all the parties to a maritime dispute are aliens, stateless persons, foreign enterprises or organisations and have agreed in writing to be subject to the jurisdiction of a maritime court of the People's Republic of China, notwithstanding that the place that is actually related to the dispute is not within the territory of the People's Republic of China, the said maritime court of the People's Republic of China shall have jurisdiction of the dispute.

     第八条 海事纠纷的当事人都是外国人、无国籍人、外国企业或者组织，当事人书面协议选择中华人民共和国海事法院管辖的，即使与纠纷有实际联系的地点不在中华人民共和国领域内，中华人民共和国海事法院对该纠纷也具有管辖权。

Article 9   Any party who wishes to apply for a positive decision that certain property at sea is ownerless shall file an application with the maritime court of the place where the said property is located; anyone who wishes to apply for a declaration that a person is dead in an accident at sea shall file an application with the maritime court of the place where the competent authority dealing with the accident is located or with the maritime court that entertains the relevant maritime case.

     第九条 当事人申请认定海上财产无主的，向财产所在地海事法院提出；申请因海上事故宣告死亡的，向处理海事事故主管机关所在地或者受理相关海事案件的海事法院提出。

Article 10   Any controversy that arises between a maritime court and a local people's court over jurisdiction shall be resolved by the two courts through consultation; if consultation fails, the matter shall be submitted to their common superior people's court for designation of jurisdiction.

     第十条 海事法院与地方人民法院之间因管辖权发生争议，由争议双方协商解决；协商解决不了的，报请他们的共同上级人民法院指定管辖。

Article 11  Any party who wishes to apply for the enforcement of a maritime arbitration award, the recognition and enforcement of a judgment or order of a foreign court or a foreign maritime arbitration award shall file an application with the maritime court of the place where the property against which enforcement is sought or the domicile of the person against whom enforcement is sought is located. In the absence of a maritime court at the said place, the application shall be filed with the intermediate people's court of the place where the property against which enforcement is sought or the domicile of the person against whom enforcement is sought is located.

     第十一条 当事人申请执行海事仲裁裁决，申请承认和执行外国法院判决、裁定以及国外海事仲裁裁决的，向被执行的财产所在地或者被执行人住所地海事法院提出。被执行的财产所在地或者被执行人住所地没有海事法院的，向被执行的财产所在地或者被执行人住所地的中级人民法院提出。

Chapter III Preservation of Maritime Claims

第三章 海事请求保全

Section I General Provisions

第一节 一 般 规 定

Article 12   Preservation of maritime claims means the compulsory measures taken by a maritime court on the application of a maritime claimant against the property of the person against whom a claim is made, for the purpose of ensuring fulfillment of the claim of the maritime claimant.

     第十二条 海事请求保全是指海事法院根据海事请求人的申请，为保障其海事请求的实现，对被请求人的财产所采取的强制措施。

Article 13   Any party who wishes to apply for preservation of a maritime claim before instituting an action shall file an application with the maritime court of the place where the property subject to preservation is located.

     第十三条 当事人在起诉前申请海事请求保全，应当向被保全的财产所在地海事法院提出。

Article 14   Preservation of a maritime claim shall not be bound by the jurisdiction agreement or arbitration agreement reached between the parties to an action in respect of the maritime claim.

     第十四条 海事请求保全不受当事人之间关于该海事请求的诉讼管辖协议或者仲裁协议的约束。

Article 15   A maritime claimant who wishes to apply for preservation of a maritime claim shall file an application in writing with a maritime court. In the application the particulars of the maritime claim, reasons for the application, subject-matter to be preserved and the amount of security required shall be specified with relevant evidence attached.

     第十五条 海事请求人申请海事请求保全，应当向海事法院提交书面申请。申请书应当载明海事请求事项、申请理由、保全的标的物以及要求提供担保的数额，并附有关证据。

Article 16   The maritime court, having entertained an application for preservation of a maritime claim, may enjoin the maritime claimant to provide security. If the maritime claimant fails to do so, the court shall reject the application.

     第十六条 海事法院受理海事请求保全申请，可以责令海事请求人提供担保。海事请求人不提供的，驳回其申请。

Article 17   The maritime court, having accepted an application, shall make an order within 48 hours. Where the order involves adoption of measures for preservation of the maritime claim, it shall be executed forthwith; where the conditions for the preservation of the maritime claim are not met, it shall make an order to reject the application.

Any party who is dissatisfied with such an order may, within 5 days after receipt thereof, apply for review not more than once. The maritime court shall give the result of the review within 5 days after receipt of the application therefor. Execution of the order shall not be suspended during the period of review.

Where preservation of a maritime claim is objected by an interested person, the maritime court, having examined the objection and considering the reasons justified, shall discharge preservation against his property.

     第十七条 海事法院接受申请后，应当在四十八小时内作出裁定。裁定采取海事请求保全措施的，应当立即执行；对不符合海事请求保全条件的，裁定驳回其申请。

    当事人对裁定不服的，可以在收到裁定书之日起五日内申请复议一次。海事法院应当在收到复议申请之日起五日内作出复议决定。复议期间不停止裁定的执行。

    利害关系人对海事请求保全提出异议，海事法院经审查，认为理由成立的，应当解除对其财产的保全。

Article 18   Where a person against whom a claim is made provides security or a party applies for discharge of preservation of the maritime claim on justified grounds, the maritime court shall discharge the preservation promptly.

If within the time limit prescribed by this Law a maritime claimant fails to bring an action or apply for arbitration in accordance with an arbitration agreement, the maritime court shall discharge the preservation or return the security promptly.

     第十八条 被请求人提供担保，或者当事人有正当理由申请解除海事请求保全的，海事法院应当及时解除保全。

    海事请求人在本法规定的期间内，未提起诉讼或者未按照仲裁协议申请仲裁的，海事法院应当及时解除保全或者返还担保。

Article 19   Where legal proceedings or arbitral proceedings are not commenced in respect of a maritime dispute after execution of the preservation of a maritime claim, any party may bring an action in respect of the maritime claim in the maritime court that adopts measures for preservation of the maritime claim or another maritime court that has jurisdiction, unless a jurisdiction agreement or arbitration agreement has been reached between the parties.

     第十九条 海事请求保全执行后，有关海事纠纷未进入诉讼或者仲裁程序的，当事人就该海事请求，可以向采取海事请求保全的海事法院或者其他有管辖权的海事法院提起诉讼，但当事人之间订有诉讼管辖协议或者仲裁协议的除外。

Article 20   A maritime claimant who has wrongly applied for preservation of a maritime claim shall indemnify the person against whom the claim is made or the interested person for the losses thus inccurred.

     第二十条 海事请求人申请海事请求保全错误的，应当赔偿被请求人或者利害关系人因此所遭受的损失。

Section II Arrest and Auction of Ships

第二节 船舶的扣押与拍卖

Article 21   With respect to the following maritime claims, an application may be made for the arrest of a ship:

(1) loss of or damage to property caused by ship operation;

(2) loss of life or personal injury in direct connection with ship operation;

(3) salvage at sea;

(4) damage or threat of damage caused by ship to environment, coast or relevant interested persons; measures adopted to prevent, diminish or eliminate such damage; compensation paid for such damage; expenses for reasonable measures actually adopted or to be adopted to restore environment; losses caused by such damage to or likely to a third party; and damage, expenses or losses of a similar nature as those specified in this subparagraph;

(5) expenses related to re-floating, removal, reclamation or destroying of a sunken ship, wreck, aground ship, abandoned ship or to making them harmless, including the expenses related to re-floating, removal, reclamation or destroying of the things which have or no longer remained on board the ship or to making them harmless and expenses related to maintaining of an abandoned ship and her crew;

(6) agreement in respect of employment or charting of a ship;

(7) agreement in respect of carriage of goods or passengers;

(8) cargo (including luggage) carried by a ship or loss or damage relating thereto;

(9) general average;

(10) towage;

(11) pilotage;

(12) providing of supplies or rendering of services in respect of ship operation, management, maintenance or repair;

(13) construction, re-construction, repair, refurbishment or equipment of a ship;

(14) dues or expenses for ports, canals, docks, harbours or other waterways;

(15) crew's wages and other moneys, including repatriation expenses and social insurance premium payable for the crew;

(16) expenses paid for a ship or a ship-owner;

(17) insurance premium for a ship (including protection and indemnity calls) payable by or paid for a ship-owner or bareboat charterer;

(18) commission, brokage or agency fee related to ships payable by or paid for a ship-owner or bareboat charterer;

(19) a dispute over ownership or possession of a ship;

(20) a dispute between joint owners of a ship over the employment or earnings of the ship;

(21) ship mortgage or rights of a similar nature; and

(22) a dispute arising out of a ship sale contract.

     第二十一条 下列海事请求，可以申请扣押船舶：

    (一)船舶营运造成的财产灭失或者损坏；

    (二)与船舶营运直接有关的人身伤亡；

    (三)海难救助；

    (四)船舶对环境、海岸或者有关利益方造成的损害或者损害威胁；为预防、减少或者消除此种损害而采取的措施；为此种损害而支付的赔偿；为恢复环境而实际采取或者准备采取的合理措施的费用；第三方因此种损害而蒙受或者可能蒙受的损失；以及与本项所指的性质类似的损害、费用或者损失；

    (五)与起浮、清除、回收或者摧毁沉船、残骸、搁浅船、被弃船或者使其无害有关的费用，包括与起浮、清除、回收或者摧毁仍在或者曾在该船上的物件或者使其无害的费用，以及与维护放弃的船舶和维持其船员有关的费用；

    (六)船舶的使用或者租用的协议；

    (七)货物运输或者旅客运输的协议；

    (八)船载货物(包括行李)或者与其有关的灭失或者损坏；

    (九)共同海损；

    (十)拖航；

    (十一)引航；

    (十二)为船舶营运、管理、维护、维修提供物资或者服务；

    (十三)船舶的建造、改建、修理、改装或者装备；

    (十四)港口、运河、码头、港湾以及其他水道规费和费用；

    (十五)船员的工资和其他款项，包括应当为船员支付的遣返费和社会保险费；

    (十六)为船舶或者船舶所有人支付的费用；

    (十七)船舶所有人或者光船承租人应当支付或者他人为其支付的船舶保险费(包括互保会费)；

    (十八)船舶所有人或者光船承租人应当支付的或者他人为其支付的与船舶有关的佣金、经纪费或者代理费；

    (十九)有关船舶所有权或者占有的纠纷；

    (二十)船舶共有人之间有关船舶的使用或者收益的纠纷；

    (二十一)船舶抵押权或者同样性质的权利；

    (二十二)因船舶买卖合同产生的纠纷。

Article 22   No application may be made for the arrest of a ship on account of maritime claims other than the ones specified in Article 21 of this Law, except for the enforcement of a judgment, an arbitration award or other legal documents.

     第二十二条 非因本法第二十一条规定的海事请求不得申请扣押船舶，但为执行判决、仲裁裁决以及其他法律文书的除外。

Article 23   The maritime court may arrest the ship concerned in any of the following circumstances:

(1) the ship-owner is liable for the maritime claim and is the owner of the ship at the time of arrest;

(2) the bareboat charterer of the ship is liable for the maritime claim and is the bareboat charterer or owner of the ship at the time of arrest;

(3) a maritime claim that gives rise to ship mortgage or to rights of a similar nature;

(4) a maritime claim related to ownership or possession of a ship; and

(5) a maritime claim that gives rise to maritime lien.

The maritime court may arrest other ships owned, at the time of arrest, by the ship-owner, bareboat charterer, time charterer or voyage charterer who is liable for the maritime claim, except for claims related to ownership or possession of a ship.

No ships engaged in military or governmental services may be subject to arrest.

     第二十三条 有下列情形之一的，海事法院可以扣押当事船舶：

    (一)船舶所有人对海事请求负有责任，并且在实施扣押时是该船的所有人；

    (二)船舶的光船承租人对海事请求负有责任，并且在实施扣押时是该船的光船承租人或者所有人；

    (三)具有船舶抵押权或者同样性质的权利的海事请求；

    (四)有关船舶所有权或者占有的海事请求；

    (五)具有船舶优先权的海事请求。

    海事法院可以扣押对海事请求负有责任的船舶所有人、光船承租人、定期租船人或者航次租船人在实施扣押时所有的其他船舶，但与船舶所有权或者占有有关的请求除外。

    从事军事、政府公务的船舶不得被扣押。

Article 24   No maritime claimant may, on account of the same maritime claim, apply for arrest of a ship which was once arrested, except in any of the following circumstances:

(1) the person against whom the claim is made fails to provide sufficient security;

(2) it is likely that the surety cannot perform the obligations under the security in full or in part; or

(3) the maritime claimant agrees, on reasonable grounds, to release the arrested ship or to return the security provided; or the maritime claimant cannot, by reasonable means, stop the release of the arrested ship or the return of the security provided.

     第二十四条 海事请求人不得因同一海事请求申请扣押已被扣押过的船舶，但有下列情形之一的除外：

    (一)被请求人未提供充分的担保；

    (二)担保人有可能不能全部或者部分履行担保义务；

    (三)海事请求人因合理的原因同意释放被扣押的船舶或者返还已提供的担保；或者不能通过合理措施阻止释放被扣押的船舶或者返还已提供的担保。

Article 25   A maritime claimant who wishes to apply for arrest of the ship concerned but cannot promptly ascertain the name of the person against whom the claim is made may still apply for its arrest.

     第二十五条 海事请求人申请扣押当事船舶，不能立即查明被请求人名称的，不影响申请的提出。

Article 26   While the maritime court issues an order for arresting of a ship, it may send a notice to relevant departments for assistance in execution of the order. In the notice shall be stated the scope and specific tasks of the assistance in execution of the order, and the relevant departments have the obligation to assist in the execution. When the maritime court deems it necessary, it may directly send officers to go aboard for purposes of supervision.

     第二十六条 海事法院在发布或者解除扣押船舶命令的同时，可以向有关部门发出协助执行通知书，通知书应当载明协助执行的范围和内容，有关部门有义务协助执行。海事法院认为必要，可以直接派员登轮监护。

Article 27   After ordering to preserve a ship, the maritime court may, with the consent of the maritime claimant, allow continued operation of the ship by means of restraining disposition or mortgaging of the ship.

     第二十七条 海事法院裁定对船舶实施保全后，经海事请求人同意，可以采取限制船舶处分或者抵押等方式允许该船舶继续营运。

Article 28   The time limit for ship arrest in preservation of a maritime claim is 30 days.

Where a maritime claimant brings an action or applies for arbitration within the 30 days, or where a maritime claimant applies for arrest of a ship in the process of a legal action or arbitration, arrest of the ship is not subject to the time limit prescribed in the preceding paragraph.

     第二十八条 海事请求保全扣押船舶的期限为三十日。

    海事请求人在三十日内提起诉讼或者申请仲裁以及在诉讼或者仲裁过程中申请扣押船舶的，扣押船舶不受前款规定期限的限制。

Article 29   Where on the expiry of the time limit for ship arrest, a person against whom a claim is made fails to provide security and it is not appropriate to keep the ship under arrest, the maritime claimant, having brought an action or applied for arbitration, may apply to the maritime court ordering the ship arrest for auction of the ship.

     第二十九条 船舶扣押期间届满，被请求人不提供担保，而且船舶不宜继续扣押的，海事请求人可以在提起诉讼或者申请仲裁后，向扣押船舶的海事法院申请拍卖船舶。

Article 30   The maritime court shall, after receipt of an application for auction of a ship, examine the application and make an order to allow or disallow the auction.

Any party who is dissatisfied with such an order may, within 5 days after receipt thereof, apply for review not more than once. The maritime court shall, within 5 days after receipt of the application therefor, give the result of the review. During the period of review, execution of the order shall be suspended.

     第三十条 海事法院收到拍卖船舶的申请后，应当进行审查，作出准予或者不准予拍卖船舶的裁定。

    当事人对裁定不服的，可以在收到裁定书之日起五日内申请复议一次。海事法院应当在收到复议申请之日起五日内作出复议决定。复议期间停止裁定的执行。

Article 31   Where a maritime claimant, having applied for auction of a ship, applies for termination of the auction, the maritime court shall make an order to approve or disapprove the application. If the maritime court makes an order to terminate the auction of the ship, the expenses incurred in preparation for auction of the ship shall be borne by the maritime claimant.

     第三十一条 海事请求人提交拍卖船舶申请后，又申请终止拍卖的，是否准许由海事法院裁定。海事法院裁定终止拍卖船舶的，为准备拍卖船舶所发生的费用由海事请求人承担。

Article 32   The maritime court which orders auction of a ship shall issue an announcement in newspapers or other news media. In the case of auction of a foreign ship, such announcement shall be issued in the newspapers or other news media of overseas distribution.

Such announcement shall contain:

(1) name and nationality of the ship for auction;

(2) reasons and grounds for auction of the ship;

(3) composition of the ship auction committee;

(4) time and venue of the ship auction;

(5) time and venue for display of the ship for auction;

(6) formalities to be completed for taking part in bidding;

(7) particulars necessary for registration of debts; and

(8) other matters which need to be announced.

The period of announcement for ship auction shall be not less than 30 days.

     第三十二条 海事法院裁定拍卖船舶，应当通过报纸或者其他新闻媒体发布公告。拍卖外籍船舶的，应当通过对外发行的报纸或者其他新闻媒体发布公告。

    公告包括以下内容：

    (一)被拍卖船舶的名称和国籍；

    (二)拍卖船舶的理由和依据；

    (三)拍卖船舶委员会的组成；

    (四)拍卖船舶的时间和地点；

    (五)被拍卖船舶的展示时间和地点；

    (六)参加竞买应当办理的手续；

    (七)办理债权登记事项；

    (八)需要公告的其他事项。

    拍卖船舶的公告期间不少于三十日。

Article 33   The maritime court shall, 30 days before an auction of a ship, issue a notice to the ship registrar of the state of registry of the ship for auction and to the maritime lien holder, mortgagee and ship-owner already known.

Such notice shall contain the name of the ship for auction, time and venue of the ship auction, reasons and grounds for the ship auction, registration of debts, etc.

Such notice shall be despatched in written form or by other appropriate means where the receipt thereof can be confirmed.

     第三十三条 海事法院应当在拍卖船舶三十日前，向被拍卖船舶登记国的登记机关和已知的船舶优先权人、抵押权人和船舶所有人发出通知。

    通知内容包括被拍卖船舶的名称、拍卖船舶的时间和地点、拍卖船舶的理由和依据以及债权登记等。

    通知方式包括书面方式和能够确认收悉的其他适当方式。

Article 34   A ship auction shall be conducted by a ship auction committee. A ship auction committee shall consist of three or five persons, including the person of the maritime court in charge of execution designated by the court, the auctioneer and ship surveyor invited by the maritime court.

The ship auction committee shall arrange the assessment and evaluation of the ship; arrange and preside over the auction; sign auction confirmation with the bidder; and complete ship delivery formalities.

The ship auction committee is responsible to and under the supervision of the maritime court.

     第三十四条 拍卖船舶由拍卖船舶委员会实施。拍卖船舶委员会由海事法院指定的本院执行人员和聘请的拍卖师、验船师三人或者五人组成。

    拍卖船舶委员会组织对船舶鉴定、估价；组织和主持拍卖；与竞买人签订拍卖成交确认书；办理船舶移交手续。

    拍卖船舶委员会对海事法院负责，受海事法院监督。

Article 35   Bidders shall register with the ship auction committee within the prescribed time limit. At the time of registration, certificates of identification of the person who registers with the committee, the legal representative of the enterprise or the leading official of other organization, and the power of attorney of the authorized proxy shall be submitted for examination and a certain amount of bidding deposit shall be paid.

     第三十五条 竞买人应当在规定的期限内向拍卖船舶委员会登记。登记时应当交验本人、企业法定代表人或者其他组织负责人身份证明和委托代理人的授权委托书，并交纳一定数额的买船保证金。

Article 36   The ship auction committee shall, before auction of a ship, display the ship for auction and make the ship available for inspection and provide information about the ship.

     第三十六条 拍卖船舶委员会应当在拍卖船舶前，展示被拍卖船舶，并提供察看被拍卖船舶的条件和有关资料。

Article 37   A buyer, having signed the auction confirmation, shall pay forthwith not less than 20% of the purchase price, and the balance shall be paid within seven days after the date of the purchase, unless the ship auction committee has agreed otherwise with the buyer.

     第三十七条 买受人在签署拍卖成交确认书后，应当立即交付不低于百分之二十的船舶价款，其余价款在成交之日起七日内付清，但拍卖船舶委员会与买受人另有约定的除外。

Article 38   When a buyer has paid the purchase price in full, the ship-owner shall, within the designated time limit, deliver to the buyer the ship as is at the berthing place. The ship auction committee shall arrange and supervise the delivery of the ship and sign the letter of confirmation of delivery and acceptance with the buyer after delivery of the ship.

After delivery of the ship, the maritime court shall issue an order to release the ship.

     第三十八条 买受人付清全部价款后，原船舶所有人应当在指定的期限内于船舶停泊地以船舶现状向买受人移交船舶。拍卖船舶委员会组织和监督船舶的移交，并在船舶移交后与买受人签署船舶移交完毕确认书。

    移交船舶完毕，海事法院发布解除扣押船舶命令。

Article 39   When a ship is delivered, the maritime court shall issue an announcement in newspapers or other news media stating that the ship has been sold by auction and delivered to the buyer.

     第三十九条 船舶移交后，海事法院应当通过报纸或者其他新闻媒体发布公告，公布船舶已经公开拍卖并移交给买受人。

Article 40   A buyer, having taken delivery of the ship, shall by virtue of the auction confirmation and other relevant documents, complete the formalities of registration with the ship registrar in respect of ownership of the ship. The former ship-owner shall cancel the registration with the previous ship registrar in respect of ownership of the ship. Ownership of the ship is transferred notwithstanding that the former ship-owner fails to cancel such registration.

     第四十条 买受人接收船舶后，应当持拍卖成交确认书和有关材料，向船舶登记机关办理船舶所有权登记手续。原船舶所有人应当向原船舶登记机关办理船舶所有权注销登记。原船舶所有人不办理船舶所有权注销登记的，不影响船舶所有权的转让。

Article 41  An auction is void if there is malicious collusion between the bidders. The bidders who take part in malicious collusion shall be liable for the expenses of the ship auction and make good the relevant losses. The maritime court may impose on the bidders who takes part in malicious collusion a fine of not less than 10% but not more than 30% of the highest bidding.

     第四十一条 竞买人之间恶意串通的，拍卖无效。参与恶意串通的竞买人应当承担拍卖船舶费用并赔偿有关损失。海事法院可以对参与恶意串通的竞买人处最高应价百分之十以上百分之三十以下的罚款。

Article 42   In addition to the provisions of this Section, the relevant provisions of the Auction Law of the People's Republic of China shall apply to auction.

     第四十二条 除本节规定的以外，拍卖适用《中华人民共和国拍卖法》的有关规定。

Article 43   Where a ship under arrest is to be auctioned for satisfaction of debts during the process of the procedure for execution, the relevant provisions of this Section may be applied mutatis mutandis.

     第四十三条 执行程序中拍卖被扣押船舶清偿债务的，可以参照本节有关规定。

Section III Attachment and Auction of Cargo Carried By Ships

第三节 船载货物的扣押与拍卖

Article 44   A maritime claimant may apply for attachment of the cargo carried by a ship to ensure fulfillment of his maritime claim.

The cargo against which an attachment is applied for shall be that owned by the person against whom the claim is made.

     第四十四条 海事请求人为保障其海事请求的实现，可以申请扣押船载货物。

    申请扣押的船载货物，应当属于被请求人所有。

Article 45   The value of the cargo against which an attachment is applied for by a maritime claimant shall be equal to the amount of his claim.

     第四十五条 海事请求人申请扣押船载货物的价值，应当与其债权数额相当。

Article 46   The time limit for attachment of the cargo carried by a ship for preservation of a maritime claim is 15 days.

Where within the 15 days a maritime claimant brings an action or applies for arbitration or, in the process of legal action or arbitration, applies for attachment of the cargo carried by a ship, attachment of the cargo carried by the ship is not subject to the time limit prescribed in the preceding paragraph.

     第四十六条 海事请求保全扣押船载货物的期限为十五日。

    海事请求人在十五日内提起诉讼或者申请仲裁以及在诉讼或者仲裁过程中申请扣押船载货物的，扣押船载货物不受前款规定期限的限制。

Article 47   Where on the expiry of the time limit for cargo attachment, the person against whom a claim is made fails to provide security and it is not appropriate to keep the cargo under attachment, the maritime claimant, having brought an action or applied for arbitration, may apply to the maritime court ordering the attachment of the cargo carried by the ship for auction of the cargo.

Where the cargo cannot be preserved or is difficult to preserve, or the expenses for its preservation are likely to exceed its value, a maritime claimant may apply for an earlier auction.

     第四十七条 船载货物扣押期间届满，被请求人不提供担保，而且货物不宜继续扣押的，海事请求人可以在提起诉讼或者申请仲裁后，向扣押船载货物的海事法院申请拍卖货物。

    对无法保管、不易保管或者保管费用可能超过其价值的物品，海事请求人可以申请提前拍卖。

Article 48   The maritime court shall, after receipt of an application for auction of the cargo carried by a ship, examine the application and, within 7 days, make an order to allow or disallow the auction.

Any party who is dissatisfied with such an order may, within five days after receipt thereof, apply for review not more than once. The maritime court shall, within five days after receipt of the application therefor, give the result of the review. During the period of review, execution of the order shall be suspended.

     第四十八条 海事法院收到拍卖船载货物的申请后，应当进行审查，在七日内作出准予或者不准予拍卖船载货物的裁定。

    当事人对裁定不服的，可以在收到裁定书之日起五日内申请复议一次。海事法院应当在收到复议申请之日起五日内作出复议决定。复议期间停止裁定的执行。

Article 49   Auction of the cargo carried by a ship shall be conducted by an auction committee composed of the person of the maritime court in charge of execution designated by the court and the auctioneer invited by the maritime court, or conducted by an organisation entrusted by the maritime court.

Where there are no provisions in this Section to govern certain auction of the cargo carried by a ship, the provisions of Section 2 of this Chapter regarding auction of ships may be applied mutatis mutandis

     第四十九条 拍卖船载货物由海事法院指定的本院执行人员和聘请的拍卖师组成的拍卖组织实施，或者由海事法院委托的机构实施。

    拍卖船载货物，本节没有规定的，参照本章第二节拍卖船舶的有关规定。

Article 50   Where a maritime claimant applies for preservation of a maritime claim in respect of a ship's bunkers and provisions related to the claim, the provisions of this Section shall apply.

     第五十条 海事请求人对与海事请求有关的船用燃油、船用物料申请海事请求保全，适用本节规定。

Chapter IV Maritime Injunction

第四章 海事强制令

Article 51   A maritime injunction means the compulsory measures adopted on the application of a maritime claimant by the maritime court to compel the person against whom a claim is made to do or not to do certain things, so as to prevent the lawful rights and interest of the claimant from being infringed upon.

     第五十一条 海事强制令是指海事法院根据海事请求人的申请，为使其合法权益免受侵害，责令被请求人作为或者不作为的强制措施。

Article 52   A party who wishes to apply for a maritime injunction before bringing an action shall file an application with the maritime court of the place where the maritime dispute arose.

     第五十二条 当事人在起诉前申请海事强制令，应当向海事纠纷发生地海事法院提出。

Article 53   A maritime injunction shall not be bound by the jurisdiction agreement or arbitration agreement reached between the parties in respect of the maritime claim.

     第五十三条 海事强制令不受当事人之间关于该海事请求的诉讼管辖协议或者仲裁协议的约束。

Article 54   A maritime claimant who wishes to apply for a maritime injunction shall file an application in writing with the maritime court. In the application shall be stated the reasons therefor, with relevant evidence attached.

     第五十四条 海事请求人申请海事强制令，应当向海事法院提交书面申请。申请书应当载明申请理由，并附有关证据。

Article 55   The maritime court, having entertained an application for a maritime injunction, may enjoin the maritime claimant to provide security. Where the maritime claimant fails to do so, It shall reject the application.

     第五十五条 海事法院受理海事强制令申请，可以责令海事请求人提供担保。海事请求人不提供的，驳回其申请。

Article 56   The following conditions shall be met before a maritime injunction is granted:

(1) the claimant has a specific maritime claim;

(2) a breach of legal provisions or contractual provisions by the person against whom a claim is made needs to be redressed; and

(3) in a situation of emergency, losses will be caused or will become worse if a maritime injunction is not granted forthwith.

     第五十六条 作出海事强制令，应当具备下列条件：

    (一)请求人有具体的海事请求；

    (二)需要纠正被请求人违反法律规定或者合同约定的行为；

    (三)情况紧急，不立即作出海事强制令将造成损害或者使损害扩大。

Article 57   The maritime court, having accepted an application, shall make an order within 48 hours. Where the order grants a maritime injunction, it shall be executed forthwith; where the conditions for a maritime injunction are not met, it shall make an order to reject the application.

     第五十七条 海事法院接受申请后，应当在四十八小时内作出裁定。裁定作出海事强制令的，应当立即执行；对不符合海事强制令条件的，裁定驳回其申请。

Article 58   A party who is dissatisfied with an order may, within five days after receipt thereof, apply for review not more than once. The maritime court shall, within five days after receipt of the application therefor, give the result of the review. Execution of the order shall not be suspended during the period of review.

Where a maritime injunction is objected by an interested person, the maritime court, having examined the objection and considering the reasons therefor justified, shall cancel the maritime injunction.

     第五十八条 当事人对裁定不服的，可以在收到裁定书之日起五日内申请复议一次。海事法院应当在收到复议申请之日起五日内作出复议决定。复议期间不停止裁定的执行。

    利害关系人对海事强制令提出异议，海事法院经审查，认为理由成立的，应当裁定撤销海事强制令。

Article 59   Where a person against whom a claim is made refuses to comply with the maritime injunction, the maritime court may, according to the seriousness of the case, impose a fine or put him under detention; if his act constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be investigated in accordance with law.

A fine imposed upon an individual shall be not less than RMB 1,000 yuan but not more than RMB 30,000 yuan. A fine imposed upon a unit shall be not less than RMB 30,000 yuan but not more than RMB 100,000 yuan.

The detention period shall be not more than 15 days.

     第五十九条 被请求人拒不执行海事强制令的，海事法院可以根据情节轻重处以罚款、拘留；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。

    对个人的罚款金额，为一千元以上三万元以下。对单位的罚款金额，为三万元以上十万元以下。

    拘留的期限，为十五日以下。

Article 60   A maritime claimant who has wrongly applied for a maritime injunction shall indemnify the person against whom the claim is made or the interested person for the losses thus incurred.

     第六十条 海事请求人申请海事强制令错误的，应当赔偿被请求人或者利害关系人因此所遭受的损失。

Article 61   Where legal proceedings or arbitral proceedings are not commenced in respect of a maritime dispute after execution of the maritime injunction, any party may bring an action in respect of the maritime claim in the maritime court granting the maritime injunction or in another maritime court having jurisdiction, unless a jurisdiction agreement or arbitration agreement has been concluded between the parties.

     第六十一条 海事强制令执行后，有关海事纠纷未进入诉讼或者仲裁程序的，当事人就该海事请求，可以向作出海事强制令的海事法院或者其他有管辖权的海事法院提起诉讼，但当事人之间订有诉讼管辖协议或者仲裁协议的除外。

Chapter V Preservation of Maritime Evidence

第五章 海事证据保全

Article 62    Preservation of maritime evidence means the compulsory measures adopted, on the application of a maritime claimant, by the maritime court to take, preserve or seal up the evidence related to a maritime claim.

     第六十二条 海事证据保全是指海事法院根据海事请求人的申请，对有关海事请求的证据予以提取、保存或者封存的强制措施。

Article 63    A party who wishes to apply for preservation of maritime evidence before instituting an action shall file an application with the maritime court of the place where the evidence is to be preserved.

     第六十三条 当事人在起诉前申请海事证据保全，应当向被保全的证据所在地海事法院提出。

Article 64   Preservation of maritime evidence shall not be bound by the jurisdiction agreement or arbitration agreement reached between the parties in respect of the maritime claim.

     第六十四条 海事证据保全不受当事人之间关于该海事请求的诉讼管辖协议或者仲裁协议的约束。

Article 65    A maritime claimant who wishes to apply for preservation of maritime evidence shall file an application in writing with the maritime court. In the application shall be stated the evidence to be preserved, the connection of the evidence with the maritime claim and the reasons therefor.

     第六十五条 海事请求人申请海事证据保全，应当向海事法院提交书面申请。申请书应当载明请求保全的证据、该证据与海事请求的联系、申请理由。

Article 66  The maritime court, having entertained an application for preservation of maritime evidence, may enjoin the maritime claimant to provide security. When the maritime claimant fails to do so, it shall reject the application.

     第六十六条 海事法院受理海事证据保全申请，可以责令海事请求人提供担保。海事请求人不提供的，驳回其申请。

Article 67  The following conditions shall be met before preservation of maritime evidence is granted:

(1) the applicant is a party to the maritime claim;

(2) the evidence, preservation of which is requested, substantiates the maritime claim;

(3) the person against whom the application is made is a party relevant to the evidence, preservation of which is requested; and

(4) in a situation of emergency, the evidence relevant to the maritime claim might be lost or hard to obtain, unless the evidence is immediately preserved.

     第六十七条 采取海事证据保全，应当具备下列条件：

    (一)请求人是海事请求的当事人；

    (二)请求保全的证据对该海事请求具有证明作用；

    (三)被请求人是与请求保全的证据有关的人；

    (四)情况紧急，不立即采取证据保全就会使该海事请求的证据灭失或者难以取得。

Article 68  The maritime court, having accepted an application, shall make an order within 48 hours. Where the order involves adoption of measures for preservation of the maritime evidence, it shall be executed forthwith; where the conditions for preservation of the maritime evidence are not met, the court shall make an order to reject the application.

     第六十八条 海事法院接受申请后，应当在四十八小时内作出裁定。裁定采取海事证据保全措施的，应当立即执行；对不符合海事证据保全条件的，裁定驳回其申请。

Article 69   A party who is dissatisfied with the order may, within five days after receipt thereof, apply for review not more than once. The maritime court shall, within five days after receipt of the application therefor, give the result of the review. Execution of the order shall not be suspended during the period of review. If the reasons given by the person against whom a claim is made are justified, the evidence under preservation shall be returned to that person.

Where preservation of the maritime evidence is objected by an interested person, the maritime court, having examined the objection and considering the reasons therefor justified, shall make an order to cancel preservation of the maritime evidence.

     第六十九条 当事人对裁定不服的，可以在收到裁定书之日起五日内申请复议一次。海事法院应当在收到复议申请之日起五日内作出复议决定。复议期间不停止裁定的执行。被请求人申请复议的理由成立的，应当将保全的证据返还被请求人。

    利害关系人对海事证据保全提出异议，海事法院经审查，认为理由成立的，应当裁定撤销海事证据保全；已经执行的，应当将与利害关系人有关的证据返还利害关系人。

Article 70   To preserve maritime evidence, the maritime court may, taking into account the specific circumstances, seal up the evidence, or take the reproductions, duplicates, photographs, or make video recording, extracts or records of inquests. It may also take the original evidence where definitely necessary.

     第七十条 海事法院进行海事证据保全，根据具体情况，可以对证据予以封存，也可以提取复制件、副本，或者进行拍照、录像，制作节录本、调查笔录等。确有必要的，也可以提取证据原件。

Article 71   A maritime claimant who has wrongly applied for preservation of maritime evidence shall indemnify the person against whom the claim is made or the interested person for the losses thus incurred.

     第七十一条 海事请求人申请海事证据保全错误的，应当赔偿被请求人或者利害关系人因此所遭受的损失。

Article 72   Where legal proceedings or arbitral proceedings are not commenced in respect of a maritime dispute after preservation of the maritime evidence, any party may bring an action in respect of the maritime claim in the maritime court that adopts the measures for preservation of the evidence or another maritime court that has jurisdiction, unless a jurisdiction agreement or arbitration agreement has been concluded between the parties.

     第七十二条 海事证据保全后，有关海事纠纷未进入诉讼或者仲裁程序的，当事人就该海事请求，可以向采取证据保全的海事法院或者其他有管辖权的海事法院提起诉讼，但当事人之间订有诉讼管辖协议或者仲裁协议的除外。

Chapter VI Maritime Security

第六章 海 事 担 保

Article 73   Maritime security consists of securities involved in such procedures as preservation of maritime claims, maritime injunction and preservation of maritime evidence provided for in this Law.

The types of security include cash, guarantee, mortgage or pledge.

     第七十三条 海事担保包括本法规定的海事请求保全、海事强制令、海事证据保全等程序中所涉及的担保。

    担保的方式为提供现金或者保证、设置抵押或者质押。

Article 74   The security of a maritime claimant shall be submitted to the maritime court; the security of a person against whom a claim is made may be submitted to the maritime court or the maritime claimant.

     第七十四条 海事请求人的担保应当提交给海事法院；被请求人的担保可以提交给海事法院，也可以提供给海事请求人。

Article 75   The type and amount of the security provided by a maritime claimant shall be determined by the maritime court. The type and amount of the security provided by a person against whom the claim is made shall be determined through consultation by the maritime claimant and the person against whom the claim is made; if consultation fails, the matter shall be determined by the maritime court.

     第七十五条 海事请求人提供的担保，其方式、数额由海事法院决定。被请求人提供的担保，其方式、数额由海事请求人和被请求人协商；协商不成的，由海事法院决定。

Article 76  The amount of the security requested for preservation of a maritime claim by a maritime claimant from a person against whom the claim is made shall be equal to the amount of his credit, but shall not exceed the value of the property preserved.

The amount of the security provided by a maritime claimant shall be equal to the loss the person against whom the claim is made may suffer as a result of his application. The exact amount shall be determined by the maritime court.

     第七十六条 海事请求人要求被请求人就海事请求保全提供担保的数额，应当与其债权数额相当，但不得超过被保全的财产价值。

    海事请求人提供担保的数额，应当相当于因其申请可能给被请求人造成的损失。具体数额由海事法院决定。

Article 77   After providing security, the provider may apply to the maritime court for reduction, alteration or cancellation of such security, if he has good reasons to do so.

     第七十七条 担保提供后，提供担保的人有正当理由的，可以向海事法院申请减少、变更或者取消该担保。

Article 78   If the amount of the security requested by the maritime claimant is so excessive as to cause losses to the person against whom the claim is made, the maritime claimant shall bear the liability to compensate for the losses.

     第七十八条 海事请求人请求担保的数额过高，造成被请求人损失的，应当承担赔偿责任。

Article 79   The provisions of this Chapter may apply mutatis mutandis to securities involved in the procedures such as constitution of maritime limitation fund and advance execution.

     第七十九条 设立海事赔偿责任限制基金和先予执行等程序所涉及的担保，可以参照本章规定。

Chapter VII Service

第七章 送 达

Article 80   The service of legal documents in maritime actions is governed by the relevant provisions of the Civil Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China and may also be conducted in the following ways:

(1) on the agent ad litem duly entrusted by the person on whom the document is to be served;

(2) on the representative office or branch established in the People's Republic of China by the person on whom the document is to be served, or on the business agent appointed by the person on whom the document is to be served ; or

(3) in other appropriate ways whereby such service can be acknowledged.

The legal documents in respect of arrest of a ship may be served on the master of the ship concerned.

     第八十条 海事诉讼法律文书的送达，适用《中华人民共和国民事诉讼法》的有关规定，还可以采用下列方式：

    (一)向受送达人委托的诉讼代理人送达；

    (二)向受送达人在中华人民共和国领域内设立的代表机构、分支机构或者业务代办人送达；

    (三)通过能够确认收悉的其他适当方式送达。

    有关扣押船舶的法律文书也可以向当事船舶的船长送达。

Article 81   Where a person who is under an obligation to accept legal documents refuses to acknowledge the receipt thereof, the server shall make a record on the receipt of service of the fact and, having the receipt of service signed or sealed by the server and the witness, leave the legal documents in the domicile or on the business premises of the person on whom the documents are to be served, in which case the service shall be deemed to be completed.

     第八十一条 有义务接受法律文书的人拒绝签收，送达人在送达回证上记明情况，经送达人、见证人签名或者盖章，将法律文书留在其住所或者办公处所的，视为送达。

Chapter XIII Trial Procedure

第八章 审 判 程 序

Section 1 Provisions for Trial of Collision Cases

第一节 审理船舶碰撞案件的规定

Article 82  Both the plaintiff and the defendant shall fill in the Investigation Form for Maritime Accident truthfully at the time of bringing an action and of submitting defence respectively.

     第八十二条 原告在起诉时、被告在答辩时，应当如实填写《海事事故调查表》。

Article 83   No evidential documents shall be attached to the bill of complaint or the bill of defence served by the maritime court on the parties.

     第八十三条 海事法院向当事人送达起诉状或者答辩状时，不附送有关证据材料。

Article 84   The burden of proof shall be discharged by the parties before a court hearing. After the parties have discharged their burden of proof and furnished the maritime court with the statement to this effect, they may apply to consult the evidential documents concerning the ship collision.

     第八十四条 当事人应当在开庭审理前完成举证。当事人完成举证并向海事法院出具完成举证说明书后，可以申请查阅有关船舶碰撞的事实证据材料。

Article 85   The parties may not reverse the statement previously made in the Investigation Form for Maritime Accident or the evidence adduced in discharging the burden of proof, unless new evidence has come to light and there is good reason for being unable to submit such new evidence within the period for producing evidence.

     第八十五条 当事人不能推翻其在《海事事故调查表》中的陈述和已经完成的举证，但有新的证据，并有充分的理由说明该证据不能在举证期间内提交的除外。

Article 86   The survey and appraisal of a ship shall be conducted by institutions or individual with due authorization of the State or by professionally qualified institutions or individuals. The maritime court shall not accept any conclusion of the survey or appraisal made or drawn up by institutions or individuals without authorization of the State or without professional qualifications.

     第八十六条 船舶检验、估价应当由国家授权或者其他具有专业资格的机构或者个人承担。非经国家授权或者未取得专业资格的机构或者个人所作的检验或者估价结论，海事法院不予采纳。

Article 87    A case of ship collision shall be tried and concluded by the maritime court within one year after filing of the case. Where an extension of the period is necessary under special circumstances, it shall be subject to approval by the president of the court. 

     第八十七条 海事法院审理船舶碰撞案件，应当在立案后一年内审结。有特殊情况需要延长的，由本院院长批准。

Section 2 Provisions for Trial of General Average Cases

第二节 审理共同海损案件的规定

Article 88   With respect to general average, the parties may either mutually agree to entrust average adjusters with the adjustment, or directly bring an action in a maritime court. In dealing with an unadjusted average dispute, the maritime court may entrust average adjusters with the adjustment.

     第八十八条 当事人就共同海损的纠纷，可以协议委托理算机构理算，也可以直接向海事法院提起诉讼。海事法院受理未经理算的共同海损纠纷，可以委托理算机构理算。

Article 89   The general average statement made by average adjusters may be admissible as the proper basis for contribution if no objection is raised by any of the parties; otherwise, the maritime court shall decide whether to accept the statement or not.

     第八十九条 理算机构作出的共同海损理算报告，当事人没有提出异议的，可以作为分摊责任的依据；当事人提出异议的，由海事法院决定是否采纳。

Article 90   A party may bring an action against the liable person for non-general average losses without being prejudiced by the proceedings commenced for the general average claim arising from the same maritime accident.

     第九十条 当事人可以不受因同一海损事故提起的共同海损诉讼程序的影响，就非共同海损损失向责任人提起诉讼。

Article 91   Actions brought by the parties in respect of the same maritime accident for non-general average losses and for general average contribution by recourse claim against the liable person in the maritime court that entertains the general average case can be consolidated by the same court.

     第九十一条 当事人就同一海损事故向受理共同海损案件的海事法院提起非共同海损的诉讼，以及对共同海损分摊向责任人提起追偿诉讼的，海事法院可以合并审理。

Article 92   A case of general average shall be tried and concluded by a maritime court within one year after filing of the case. Where an extension of the period is necessary under special circumstances, it shall be subject to approval by the president of the court. 

     第九十二条 海事法院审理共同海损案件，应当在立案后一年内审结。有特殊情况需要延长的，由本院院长批准。

Section 3 Provisions for Exercising Right of Subrogation by Marine Insurers

第三节 海上保险人行使代位请求赔偿权利的规定

Article 93    Where an accident covered was caused by a third party and the insurer has indemnified the insured, the insurer is entitled to claim compensation against the third party by exercising the right of subrogation up to the amount of the indemnity paid.

     第九十三条 因第三人造成保险事故，保险人向被保险人支付保险赔偿后，在保险赔偿范围内可以代位行使被保险人对第三人请求赔偿的权利。

Article 94    In exercising the right of subrogation, an insurer shall, bring an action in its own name against the third party that caused the accident covered, if no action has been brought by the insured against that third party.

     第九十四条 保险人行使代位请求赔偿权利时，被保险人未向造成保险事故的第三人提起诉讼的，保险人应当以自己的名义向该第三人提起诉讼。

Article 95    In exercising the right of subrogation, an insurer may apply to the court entertaining the case for an alteration of the party to the lawsuit and subrogate the rights of the insured against the third party that caused the accident covered, if an action has been brought by the insured against that third party.

Where the losses of the insured caused by a third party cannot be fully covered by insurance indemnity, the insurer and the insured may act as co-plaintiffs to claim compensation against the third party.

     第九十五条 保险人行使代位请求赔偿权利时，被保险人已经向造成保险事故的第三人提起诉讼的，保险人可以向受理该案的法院提出变更当事人的请求，代位行使被保险人对第三人请求赔偿的权利。

    被保险人取得的保险赔偿不能弥补第三人造成的全部损失的，保险人和被保险人可以作为共同原告向第三人请求赔偿。

Article 96   Where an action is brought or an application for participating in the action is filed by an insurer pursuant to the provisions provided for in Articles 94 and 95 of this Law, the insurer shall submit to the maritime court that entertains the case the certificate evidencing payment of indemnity by the insurer and other documents necessary for participating in the action.

     第九十六条 保险人依照本法第九十四条、第九十五条的规定提起诉讼或者申请参加诉讼的，应当向受理该案的海事法院提交保险人支付保险赔偿的凭证，以及参加诉讼应当提交的其他文件。

Article 97   An aggrieved party may claim for oil pollution damage caused by a ship either against the owner of the ship causing oil pollution damage or directly against the insurer who is answerable for the liabilities of the owner of the ship causing oil pollution damage, or against the person who provides financial security therefor.

Where the insurer for oil pollution damage or the person who provides financial security therefor is sued in an action, such insurer or person is entitled to demand the owner of the ship causing oil pollution damage to join the proceedings.

     第九十七条 对船舶造成油污损害的赔偿请求，受损害人可以向造成油污损害的船舶所有人提出，也可以直接向承担船舶所有人油污损害责任的保险人或者提供财务保证的其他人提出。

    油污损害责任的保险人或者提供财务保证的其他人被起诉的，有权要求造成油污损害的船舶所有人参加诉讼。

Section 4 Summary Procedure, Procedure for Hastening Debt Recovery and Procedure for Public Exigence

第四节 简易程序、督促程序和公示催告程序

Article 98   In hearing simple maritime cases in which the facts are evident, the rights and obligations are clear and the dispute is a minor one, the maritime court may apply the provisions governing summary procedure in the Civil Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China.

     第九十八条 海事法院审理事实清楚、权利义务关系明确、争议不大的简单的海事案件，可以适用《中华人民共和国民事诉讼法》简易程序的规定。

Article 99   Where a creditor, on the basis of a maritime-related matter, requests a debtor to pay a debt in cash or in securities, if it is found to be in conformity with the relevant provisions in the Civil Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China, the creditor may apply to the maritime court that has jurisdiction for an order of payment.

Where the debtor is an alien, a stateless person or a foreign enterprise or organisation that has a domicile or representative office or branch within the territory of the People's Republic of China on which the order of payment can be served, the creditor may apply to the maritime court that has jurisdiction for an order of payment.

     第九十九条 债权人基于海事事由请求债务人给付金钱或者有价证券，符合《中华人民共和国民事诉讼法》有关规定的，可以向有管辖权的海事法院申请支付令。

    债务人是外国人、无国籍人、外国企业或者组织，但在中华人民共和国领域内有住所、代表机构或者分支机构并能够送达支付令的，债权人可以向有管辖权的海事法院申请支付令。

Article 100   A holder of a bill of lading or similar documents for taking delivery of cargo may apply for public exigence to the maritime court of the place where the cargo is located in case such documents are out of control or lost. 

     第一百条 提单等提货凭证持有人，因提货凭证失控或者灭失，可以向货物所在地海事法院申请公示催告。

Chapter IX Procedure for Constitution of Limitation Fund for Maritime Claims 

第九章 设立海事赔偿责任限制基金程序

Article 101   After the occurrence of a marine accident, the ship-owner, charterer, operator, salvor or insurer, who wishes to apply for liability limitation in accordance with law, may apply to a maritime court for constitution of the limitation fund for maritime claims.

In the event of oil pollution damage caused by a ship, the ship-owner and the insurer or the person who provides financial security therefor shall, for the purpose of obtaining the right of liability limitation provided for by law, constitute with the maritime court a limitation fund for maritime claims in respect of oil pollution damage.

Constitution of limitation fund may be applied for either before an action is brought or during the process of legal proceedings, or, at the latest, before the judgement of first instance is given.

     第一百零一条 船舶所有人、承租人、经营人、救助人、保险人在发生海事事故后，依法申请责任限制的，可以向海事法院申请设立海事赔偿责任限制基金。

    船舶造成油污损害的，船舶所有人及其责任保险人或者提供财务保证的其他人为取得法律规定的责任限制的权利，应当向海事法院设立油污损害的海事赔偿责任限制基金。

    设立责任限制基金的申请可以在起诉前或者诉讼中提出，但最迟应当在一审判决作出前提出。

Article 102   A party who wishes to apply for constitution of a limitation fund for maritime claims before an action is brought shall file an application therefor with the maritime court of the place where the accident occurred, the contract is performed or the ship is under arrest.

     第一百零二条 当事人在起诉前申请设立海事赔偿责任限制基金的，应当向事故发生地、合同履行地或者船舶扣押地海事法院提出。

Article 103   Constitution of a limitation fund for maritime claims shall not be bound by the jurisdiction agreement or arbitration agreement reached between the parties.

     第一百零三条 设立海事赔偿责任限制基金，不受当事人之间关于诉讼管辖协议或者仲裁协议的约束。

Article 104   A person who wishes to apply for constitution of a limitation fund for maritime claims shall file an application in writing with a maritime court. In the application shall be stated the amount of the limitation fund to be constituted for maritime claims, the reasons therefor as well as the names, addresses and means of correspondence of the interested persons already known, with relevant evidence attached.

     第一百零四条 申请人向海事法院申请设立海事赔偿责任限制基金，应当提交书面申请。申请书应当载明申请设立海事赔偿责任限制基金的数额、理由，以及已知的利害关系人的名称、地址和通讯方法，并附有关证据。

Article 105   The maritime court shall, within seven days of the acceptance of an application for constitution of a limitation fund for maritime claims, notify all the interested persons already known and issue an announcement of the same in the newspapers or other news media.

Such notice and announcement shall contain:

(1) name of the applicant;

(2) facts and reasons for application;

(3) particulars for constitution of the limitation fund for maritime claims;

(4) particulars necessary in registration of claims; and

(5) other matters which need to be announced.

     第一百零五条 海事法院受理设立海事赔偿责任限制基金申请后，应当在七日内向已知的利害关系人发出通知，同时通过报纸或者其他新闻媒体发布公告。

    通知和公告包括下列内容：

    (一)申请人的名称；

    (二)申请的事实和理由；

    (三)设立海事赔偿责任限制基金事项；

    (四)办理债权登记事项；

    (五)需要告知的其他事项。

Article 106   Any interested person who objects to the application filed by the applicant for constitution of a limitation fund for maritime claims shall file in writing with the maritime court within seven days from the date of receipt of the notice, or within 30 days from the date of the announcement if no notice is received.

The maritime court, having received the written objection filed by an interested person, shall examine the objection and make an order within 15 days. If the objection is well founded, it shall make an order to reject the application of the applicant. Otherwise, it shall make an order to allow the applicant to constitute a limitation fund for maritime claims.

The party who is dissatisfied with such an order may appeal within seven days from the date of receipt thereof. The people's court of second instance shall make an order within 15 days from the date of receipt of the appeal.

     第一百零六条 利害关系人对申请人申请设立海事赔偿责任限制基金有异议的，应当在收到通知之日起七日内或者未收到通知的在公告之日起三十日内，以书面形式向海事法院提出。

    海事法院收到利害关系人提出的书面异议后，应当进行审查，在十五日内作出裁定。异议成立的，裁定驳回申请人的申请；异议不成立的，裁定准予申请人设立海事赔偿责任限制基金。

    当事人对裁定不服的，可以在收到裁定书之日起七日内提起上诉。第二审人民法院应当在收到上诉状之日起十五日内作出裁定。

Article 107  Where no objection is raised by an interested person within the prescribed time limit, the maritime court shall make an order to allow the applicant to constitute a limitation fund for maritime claims.

     第一百零七条 利害关系人在规定的期间内没有提出异议的，海事法院裁定准予申请人设立海事赔偿责任限制基金。

Article 108   After the order to allow the applicant to constitute a limitation fund for maritime claims becomes effective, the applicant shall constitute the fund with the maritime court.

A limitation fund for maritime claims may be constituted either by depositing cash or by providing security acceptable to the maritime court.

The sum of the limitation fund for maritime claims shall cover the amount of liability to be limited and any interest accruing from the date of the accident up to the date of constitution. Where the fund is constituted by way of security, the amount of the security shall cover the amount of the fund and any interest accruing thereon during the period of such constitution.

Where the fund is constituted with cash deposited, the date on which the fund is transferred into the bank account designated by the maritime court shall be deemed to be the date of constitution of the fund. Where the fund is constituted with security provided, the date on which the maritime court accepts the security shall be deemed to be the date of constitution of the fund.

     第一百零八条 准予申请人设立海事赔偿责任限制基金的裁定生效后，申请人应当在海事法院设立海事赔偿责任限制基金。

    设立海事赔偿责任限制基金可以提供现金，也可以提供经海事法院认可的担保。

    海事赔偿责任限制基金的数额，为海事赔偿责任限额和自事故发生之日起至基金设立之日止的利息。以担保方式设立基金的，担保数额为基金数额及其在基金设立期间的利息。

    以现金设立基金的，基金到达海事法院指定帐户之日为基金设立之日。以担保设立基金的，海事法院接受担保之日为基金设立之日。

Article 109   After a limitation fund for maritime claims has been constituted, the parties shall bring an action in respect of the maritime dispute with the maritime court with which the limitation fund for maritime claims has been constituted, unless a jurisdiction agreement or arbitration agreement has been reached between the parties.

     第一百零九条 设立海事赔偿责任限制基金以后，当事人就有关海事纠纷应当向设立海事赔偿责任限制基金的海事法院提起诉讼，但当事人之间订有诉讼管辖协议或者仲裁协议的除外。

Article 110   A person, having wrongly applied for constitution of a limitation fund for maritime claims, shall indemnify the interested person for the losses thus incurred.

     第一百一十条 申请人申请设立海事赔偿责任限制基金错误的，应当赔偿利害关系人因此所遭受的损失。

Chapter X Procedure for Registration and Repayment of Debts

第十章 债权登记与受偿程序

Article 111   After announcement of the maritime court's order for forced auction of a ship, the creditors shall, within the time limit announced, apply for registration of their claims pertaining to the ship to be auctioned. Creditors who fail to register their claims before expiry of the said time limit period shall be deemed to have abandoned their rights to be satisfied from the proceeds of the auction.

     第一百一十一条 海事法院裁定强制拍卖船舶的公告发布后，债权人应当在公告期间，就与被拍卖船舶有关的债权申请登记。公告期间届满不登记的，视为放弃在本次拍卖船舶价款中受偿的权利。

Article 112   After the maritime court's announcement of acceptance of the application to constitute a limitation fund for maritime claims, the creditors shall, within the time limit announced, apply for registration of their claims relevant to the maritime accident that occurred at a particular scene. The creditors who fail to register their claims before expiry of the time limit announced shall be deemed to have abandoned their rights to debt.

     第一百一十二条 海事法院受理设立海事赔偿责任限制基金的公告发布后，债权人应当在公告期间就与特定场合发生的海事事故有关的债权申请登记。公告期间届满不登记的，视为放弃债权。

Article 113   A creditor who wishes to apply for registration of his claims shall file an application in writing with the maritime court and provide relevant debt evidence.

Debt evidence includes legally-binding judgements, written orders, conciliation statements, arbitral awards, notarised documents concerning creditors' rights to debt and other evidential material substantiating the maritime claim.

     第一百一十三条 债权人向海事法院申请登记债权的，应当提交书面申请，并提供有关债权证据。

    债权证据，包括证明债权的具有法律效力的判决书、裁定书、调解书、仲裁裁决书和公证债权文书，以及其他证明具有海事请求的证据材料。

Article 114  The maritime court shall examine the application submitted by a creditor, and make an order to allow the registration if debt evidence is provided, and to reject the application if it is not.

     第一百一十四条 海事法院应当对债权人的申请进行审查，对提供债权证据的，裁定准予登记；对不提供债权证据的，裁定驳回申请。

Article 115   Where the maritime court, having examined the judgements, written orders, conciliation statements, arbitral awards, or the notarised documents concerning creditors' rights to debt provided by the creditors, firmly believe that they are all true and lawful, it shall make an order to confirm them.

     第一百一十五条 债权人提供证明债权的判决书、裁定书、调解书、仲裁裁决书或者公证债权文书的，海事法院经审查认定上述文书真实合法的，裁定予以确认。

Article 116   Where a creditor wishes to provide other maritime claim evidence, he shall, after having registered his claims, bring an action to confirm his rights before the maritime court where the claims are registered. Where an arbitration agreement has been concluded between the parties, they shall apply for arbitration promptly.

The judgements and written orders made by the maritime court to confirm the rights are legally binding, no parties may appeal against them.

     第一百一十六条 债权人提供其他海事请求证据的，应当在办理债权登记以后，在受理债权登记的海事法院提起确权诉讼。当事人之间有仲裁协议的，应当及时申请仲裁。

    海事法院对确权诉讼作出的判决、裁定具有法律效力，当事人不得提起上诉。

Article 117   After examining and confirming the debts, the maritime court shall issue a notice to the creditors for a creditors' meeting, and make arrangements for and convene the creditors' meeting.

     第一百一十七条 海事法院审理并确认债权后，应当向债权人发出债权人会议通知书，组织召开债权人会议。

Article 118   The creditors' meeting may through negotiation put forward a plan for distribution of the proceeds from auction of the ship or the limitation fund for maritime claims and sign an agreement on satisfaction.

The agreement on satisfaction shall be legally binding after the maritime court makes an order to confirm it.

Where consultation at the creditors' meeting fails, the maritime court shall, according to the ranking of claims provided for in the Maritime Code of the People's Republic of China and other related laws, decide on the plan for distribution of the proceeds from auction of the ship or the limitation fund for maritime claims.

     第一百一十八条 债权人会议可以协商提出船舶价款或者海事赔偿责任限制基金的分配方案，签订受偿协议。

    受偿协议经海事法院裁定认可，具有法律效力。

    债权人会议协商不成的，由海事法院依照《中华人民共和国海商法》以及其他有关法律规定的受偿顺序，裁定船舶价款或者海事赔偿责任限制基金的分配方案。

Article 119   The proceeds from auction of a ship and interest thereon, or the limitation fund for maritime claims and interest thereon, shall be distributed at the same time.

In distribution of the proceeds from auction of a ship, the legal costs to be borne by the person liable, expenses incurred in order to preserve the ship or to procure its auction and to distribute the proceeds from the auction, as well as other expenses incurred in the common interest of the creditors, shall first be paid out of the proceeds from such auction.

The balance, after satisfaction of the debts, shall be refunded to the former ship-owner or the person constituting the limitation fund for maritime claims.             

     第一百一十九条 拍卖船舶所得价款及其利息，或者海事赔偿责任限制基金及其利息，应当一并予以分配。

    分配船舶价款时，应当由责任人承担的诉讼费用，为保存、拍卖船舶和分配船舶价款产生的费用，以及为债权人的共同利益支付的其他费用，应当从船舶价款中先行拨付。

    清偿债务后的余款，应当退还船舶原所有人或者海事赔偿责任限制基金设立人。

Chapter XI Procedure for Exigence of Maritime Liens

第十一章 船舶优先权催告程序

Article 120   Where a ship is transferred, the transferee may apply to the maritime court for exigence of the maritime lien, demanding the maritime lien holder to assert his right promptly so as to extinguish the maritime lien attached to the ship.

     第一百二十条 船舶转让时，受让人可以向海事法院申请船舶优先权催告，催促船舶优先权人及时主张权利，消灭该船舶附有的船舶优先权。

Article 121  A transferee who wishes to apply for exigence of the maritime lien shall file an application with the maritime court of the place where the ship is to be delivered or where the domicile of the transferee is located.

     第一百二十一条 受让人申请船舶优先权催告的，应当向转让船舶交付地或者受让人住所地海事法院提出。

Article 122   A person who wishes to apply for exigence of the maritime lien, shall submit to the maritime court a written application, the contract for ship transfer, technical data of the ship and other documents. In the written application shall be stated the name of the ship, the facts and grounds therefor.

     第一百二十二条 申请船舶优先权催告，应当向海事法院提交申请书、船舶转让合同、船舶技术资料等文件。申请书应当载明船舶的名称、申请船舶优先权催告的事实和理由。

Article 123   The maritime court, having received the application and the relevant documents, shall examine them and, within seven days, make an order to approve or disapprove the application.

A transferee who is dissatisfied with such an order may apply for review not more than once.

     第一百二十三条 海事法院在收到申请书以及有关文件后，应当进行审查，在七日内作出准予或者不准予申请的裁定。

    受让人对裁定不服的，可以申请复议一次。

Article 124   After an order to approve an application becomes effective, the maritime court shall issue an announcement in newspapers or other news media urging the maritime lien holder to assert his right within the period of exigence.

The period for exigence of a maritime lien is 60 days.

     第一百二十四条 海事法院在准予申请的裁定生效后，应当通过报纸或者其他新闻媒体发布公告，催促船舶优先权人在催告期间主张船舶优先权。

    船舶优先权催告期间为六十日。

Article 125  A maritime lien holder who asserts his right within the period of exigence shall complete registration with the maritime court; if the lien holder fails to assert his right, he shall be deemed to have waived the maritime lien.

     第一百二十五条 船舶优先权催告期间，船舶优先权人主张权利的，应当在海事法院办理登记；不主张权利的，视为放弃船舶优先权。

Article 126   Where on the expiry of the period of exigence, no one asserts the maritime lien, the maritime court shall, on the application of a party, make a judgement, declaring that the ship to be transferred is free from maritime lien. The judgement shall be published.

     第一百二十六条 船舶优先权催告期间届满，无人主张船舶优先权的，海事法院应当根据当事人的申请作出判决，宣告该转让船舶不附有船舶优先权。判决内容应当公告。

Chapter XII Supplementary Provisions

第十二章 附 则

Article 127   This Law shall come into force as of July 1, 2000.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION BY THE GENERAL OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS.

LICENSED FOR USE AS OF MARCH 2009.

     第一百二十七条 本法自2000年7月1日起施行。