The Shidao Tribunal of Qingdao Maritime Court in East China’s Shandong province recently received a letter of gratitude from a Marshall Islands-based litigant to a maritime dispute, praising the court's swift seizure of a vessel involved in a collision case already filed in a Turkish court. Thanks to the court’s flexible application of international conventions and efficient judicial practices, the tribunal successfully seized the vessel in question, prompting the parties involved to return to the negotiating table and ultimately reach a settlement within 20 days.

The event began on Dec 20, 2024, when Qu Yanjun, a judge at the Shidao Tribunal, received an urgent application for vessel seizure. The applicant claimed that the Panama-registered vessel Limon had collided with the Belize-flagged vessel Oslo in Turkish waters in August 2024, and then fled the scene without accountability. Recently, the applicant discovered that the Limon was docked for repairs at an anchorage in Shidao of Weihai city in Shandong province, the jurisdiction of the court.

Realizing the urgency of the situation as the Limon was about to complete its repairs and depart, Qu decisively initiated the vessel seizure procedure and promptly rushed to the anchorage in Shidao. 

Judicial officers from Qingdao Maritime Court board the  vessel Limon on Dec 27, 2024. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

To ensure a smooth operation and compliance, Qu coordinated with the border inspection authorities for joint enforcement. He thoroughly explained Chinese legal provisions and the reason for vessel seizure to the captain of the Limon, who eventually agreed to cooperate with the court.

In foreign-related cases, Chinese courts require verification of the authenticity of the authorization and evidence provided by the parties which traditionally required up to two months for consular authentication. That would most likely see the involved vessel leave the port without being seized.

However, Qu leveraged the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents that came into effect in China on Nov 7, 2023, replacing consular authentication with streamlined additional certification, This allowed the applicant to complete document preparation and verification within one week—a critical factor in timely vessel seizure. 

Judicial officers from Qingdao Maritime Court post a vessel seizure order on the window of the detained vessel Limon on Dec 27, 2024. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

The precise application of the international convention not only enhanced the efficiency of handling this case but also served as a standard practice of participation in international dispute resolution by China’s judiciary. Qu said this innovative practice further demonstrated the alignment of Chinese laws with international rules.

After the tribunal's rigorous review, it approved the vessel seizure application, which the foreign applicant hailed as "the best New Year’s gift " with 2025 approaching. 

Following the seizure, the parties opted for direct negotiations in Turkey to minimize costs and expedite resolution.

Judicial officers explain Chinese laws to the captain of the vessel Limon and deliver the vessel seizure order on Dec 27, 2024. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

On Jan 14, Qu was informed that the parties involved were about to reach a settlement. As the two sides signed a formal settlement agreement, the vessel was released by the Chinese court on Jan 20. The vessel’s captain praised the "fair and efficient handling" by Chinese maritime justice, ensuring uninterrupted future voyages.

The successful resolution of this complex international dispute with facilitation from the Qingdao Maritime Court highlights the court's commitment to efficient and effective judicial practices in addressing maritime disputes.

The photo shows a pier in Shidao Port at dusk on Dec 27, 2024. [Photo/court.gov.cn]