On July 21, the Guangxi Maritime Safety Administration, the Department of Human Resources and Social Security of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Guangxi Committee, and the China Maritime Arbitration Commission Greater Bay Area Arbitration Center (South China Sub-commission) jointly signed a cooperation agreement to create a new collaborative framework that integrates multi-channel mediation, arbitration, and labor rights protection. The partnership will establish a “One-Stop Waterborne Dispute Resolution Center” to provide legal support for major shipping projects, including the Pinglu Canal, and bolster the high-quality development of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor.

As a backbone project of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, the Pinglu Canal is crucial to the southwestern region’s drive toward maritime development. With a significant increase in waterborne traffic anticipated upon its opening, the four parties have jointly established the Pinglu Canal One-Stop Waterborne Dispute Resolution Center to facilitate early resolution of maritime disputes, including vessel collisions, cargo loss claims, and crew labor disputes. The initiative is designed to ensure that “disputes are settled without leaving the vessel and conflicts are resolved before reaching shore”, addressing shipping-related issues at the grassroots level and nipping them in the bud.

The new cooperation framework clearly spells out the division of responsibilities: the maritime authority handles waterway traffic management and administrative mediation; the human resources department oversees labor security supervision and standardizes shipping employment contracts; the CCPIT provides specialized commercial mediation services; and the maritime arbitration center offers authoritative arbitration support. This integrated approach enables individuals and businesses to resolve multiple issues through a single point of contact.

Beyond dispute resolution, the four parties will jointly roll out model labor contracts for the shipping sector and compile a list of common legal challenges faced by shipping enterprises. Through platforms such as the China-ASEAN Expo and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, they will organize thematic forums on maritime legal services and release model cases and innovative legal outcomes. They will also proactively align with ASEAN shipping rules and practices, continuously fostering a market-oriented, internationalized, and convenient maritime legal and business environment.

Reviewer 1: Huang Mengyao

Reviewer 2: Zhang Yanlan

Reviewer 3: Tang Caihong