Ministry of Transport: Fully restore international cruise transportation to and from cruise ports within China
Notice of the General Office of the Ministry of Transport on Doing a Good Job in the Comprehensive Restoration of International Cruise Transport
Tianjin City, Hebei Province, Liaoning Province, Shanghai City, Jiangsu Province, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Shandong Province, Guangdong Province, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Hainan Province Department of Transportation, and each directly affiliated maritime bureau:
On the basis of piloting the resumption of international cruise transportation at cruise ports in Shanghai and Shenzhen, relevant departments have decided to fully resume international cruise transportation entering and exiting cruise ports in China from the date of this notice. The relevant matters are hereby notified as follows:
1、 Make all necessary preparations for resuming flights
International cruise ships carry a large number of passengers, have long sea voyages, and require high emergency response requirements. All regions should attach great importance to it, and make solid preparations for resuming flights to effectively ensure the safety of people's lives and property. The transportation department in charge of the port where the cruise ship docks shall, in conjunction with relevant departments, formulate an implementation plan for the resumption of international cruise transportation, and submit it to the local people's government for approval before promoting the resumption of navigation; We need to work with relevant departments to organize a review of the preparation for cruise transportation and port enterprises to resume operations. The preparation for resumption of operations includes the following:
Cruise transportation and port enterprises should possess corresponding qualifications in accordance with the law.
Cruise ships meet the safety and airworthiness requirements. During the epidemic, cruise ships that did not carry passenger services shall conduct a non commercial voyage in accordance with relevant regulations before resuming operation, and newly built cruise ships shall organize a pre departure safety assessment.
Cruise ships should match the berthing capacity of the intended cruise port terminal.
Cruise shipping and port enterprises shall establish and improve safety emergency and COVID-19 infection prevention and control systems and emergency plans in accordance with regulations, and provide necessary epidemic prevention materials.
The facilities and equipment at the customs clearance site meet the customs inspection requirements of the cruise ship and its passengers.
2、 Strengthen safety emergency management and epidemic prevention and control
Cruise transportation has a significant responsibility for safety, and we must firmly adhere to the bottom line and red line of safety production. The transportation department in charge of the port where the cruise ship stops should, under the leadership of the local government, carry out emergency response work in accordance with relevant emergency plans and responsibilities, strengthen the safety emergency management of the cruise ship port, establish emergency contact mechanisms with cruise ship transportation enterprises, supervise enterprises to strengthen safety inspections, and strictly prevent passengers from carrying dangerous goods and other prohibited items on board. Maritime management agencies should strengthen the supervision of cruise ship safety, implement flag state and port state supervision and inspection in accordance with regulations, conduct a safety inspection before the first voyage of the cruise ship at the port of departure, urge cruise transportation enterprises to strengthen ship safety management and emergency drills, and strictly implement relevant safety regulations such as ship prohibition and restriction management. Continue to implement the large-scale life rescue operation plan for cruise ships and continuously improve emergency preparedness. The transportation authorities and maritime management agencies at the port where the cruise ship docks should guide Chinese cruise transportation enterprises to strengthen ship dynamic monitoring, enhance shore based support capabilities, and ensure that they can "hear, see, and command" during emergency response; Collaborate with relevant departments to supervise and guide cruise transportation and port enterprises to implement various national and local requirements for epidemic prevention and control in accordance with their responsibilities.
3、 Strengthen the management of cruise transportation market
The transportation department in charge of the port where cruise ships are docked should work with relevant departments to manage the cruise transportation market in accordance with the law, strengthen supervision before, during, and after the event, and maintain market order; Guide cruise transportation enterprises to enrich their route products, optimize onboard services, and continuously improve the level of transportation services; Collaborate with relevant units to guide cruise transportation and port enterprises in implementing the Cruise Port Service Standards, optimize passenger entry and exit and boarding processes, and enhance passenger service experience; Urge cruise transportation and port enterprises to implement the cruise ticket management system and cruise operation statistical investigation system. The transportation authorities and maritime management agencies should urge cruise ships to use shore power in accordance with regulations.
Please strengthen the guidance and supervision of the resumption of navigation work by the provincial transportation authorities in conjunction with relevant departments, timely coordinate and solve any problems that arise, promote the stable and healthy development of the international cruise transportation market, and report the resumption of international cruise transportation in this jurisdiction to the Ministry of Water Transport by the end of 2023.
Contact person: Zhao Shuai, contact phone number: 010-65292665, email: sys623@mot.gov.cn .
Office of the Ministry of Transport
September 18, 2023