Water transport safety enhanced

China will step up management of water transport to further enhance safety, the Ministry of Transport said on June 19.

The ministry said in a notice that it has urged water transport operators, port operators, port and shipping management departments and marine management departments to step up safety checks and improve work safety.

Port management units should control safety risks and follow higher standards in work related to dangerous cargo. The management of loading and unloading work should be reinforced, the authority said.

Port and shipping departments should enhance supervision of the sector and intensify oversight and safety checks at ports.

Ship survey departments are also urged to intensify ship management and conduct detailed surveys for the safety index of ships.

The ministry also urged marine management departments to conduct more on-the-spot safety oversight and prioritize safety management of small and medium-sized vessels.