On May 1, 2026, the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) implemented the most extensive revision of its Maritime Code since the Code’s enactment in 1993. For anyone trading to, from, or within China, the revisions will impact liability, dispute resolution, and more—especially for cargo carriers and claims.
Under the prior code, Article 51(2) provided that an international carrier was exempt from liability regardless of whether the fire accident occurred at sea or on land as long as the fire accident leading to the cargo loss or damage occurred within the carrier’s period of responsibility and was not the actual fault of the carrier.
Under the new code, shore-side terminal and warehouse fires during the carrier’s period of responsibility are no longer exempt. So, the fire exemption is now limited to on-board fires.
