The Ministry of Transport ("MOT") has recently issued the Guiding Opinions on Deepening Reform to Promote the High-quality Development of Vessel Inspection (the "Opinions").
The Opinions put forward that by 2035, a new standard and efficient vessel inspection pattern featuring "clear powers and responsibilities, strong regulation and high-quality services" will be formed, the overall level will reach the forefront of the world, and high-quality development of vessel inspection will be achieved to comprehensively serve the construction of a strong transportation country and the people's good life needs. To this end, the Opinions establish tasks in seven aspects, including perfecting the system and mechanism for vessel inspection, improving laws and regulations on vessel inspection, and strengthening the institutional construction of vessel inspection. Among others, the Opinions clarify that it is necessary to improve administrative regulations on vessel inspection, promote the revision of the Regulations on the Inspection of Vessels and Offshore Facilities and the Regulations on Fishing Vessel Inspection, promote the deep integration of regulations on merchant vessel inspection and those on fishing vessel inspection; speed up the modification of the Administrative Provisions on the Inspection of Vessels and other rules and regulations, and continuously improve and optimize the vessel inspection management system. The Opinions also emphasize that it is imperative to orderly promote innovation and opening of vessel inspection and innovate the vessel inspection system and inspection mode, so as to provide convenient and high-quality vessel inspection services for the construction of free trade zones (ports).