Cooperation agreement signed to advance Hainan’s maritime arbitration development

The Justice Department of Hainan Province and the Hainan Maritime Safety Administration recently signed a cooperation agreement on promoting the development of maritime arbitration in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), along with the release of the key priorities for maritime arbitration work in the Hainan FTP for 2025-26, providing legal safeguards for the upcoming island-wide special customs operations and high-level opening-up of the island.

Under the agreement, both parties will leverage their respective strengths to engage in comprehensive cooperation across key areas, including the joint development of mechanism platforms, innovations in maritime arbitration systems and rules, optimization of the business environment, cultivation of professional expertise, and market promotion guidance. Specific measures, including establishing a refined cross-department communication and coordination mechanism to jointly secure high-impact maritime arbitration support policies, will be taken.

Furthermore, the agreement supports the cultivation of world-class international commercial arbitration and mediation institutions, and the establishment of a new model for dispute resolution that combines maritime mediation and maritime arbitration.

The agreement also aims to promote the formulation of specialized maritime arbitration rules, optimize management processes, and enhance technological application support. It plans to establish maritime mediation and arbitration training bases and explore the involvement of maritime law enforcement personnel as maritime arbitrators or expert witnesses.

In addition, the agreement calls for organizing multi-level and diverse maritime arbitration promotion activities targeting shipping enterprises to jointly support the innovation of maritime arbitration systems and rules and Hainan in building itself as an international commercial arbitration center.

The signing of the cooperation agreement and the release of the key priorities for maritime arbitration work in the Hainan FTP mark a significant step forward in promoting cross-department collaboration and institutional integration in maritime arbitration for Hainan. By integrating resources and breaking down barriers, the province will further enhance its international and domestic competitiveness in maritime arbitration, attract global high-end maritime legal services to Hainan, and provide more efficient and accessible channels for dispute resolution.