Shanghai Maritime Court Gains Traction in International Dispute Resolution

A series of spot-check events at Shanghai Maritime Court gave visitors an inside into the court's milestones since 1984, with a focus on foreign-related maritime and commercial cases.

The visit took Chinese and overseas visitors through the state-of-the-art service center on the first floor and the cultural gallery on the sixth floor, which displayed key events since the court's founding.

They saw an advanced full-factor shipping chain analysis system on a huge LED screen that tracked ships, cargo, weather, and traffic. These data allows the court to track current and past conditions while settling disputes.

In one case of a collision between two ships, the system visually reconstructed traffic conditions and proved that one ship had veered off its course while falsely claiming it was maneuvering to avoid other vessels.

"What I considered very compelling is the seamless integration of technology into the daily operation of the court," said Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China head representative Robert Mitrofan.

"It (the Shanghai Maritime Court) is a case study for the world in terms of the rule of law and offers more than technology. The court offers predictability and administrative openness and transparency, which is important not only for China but also for all the global parties," he said.

"I believe that Shanghai is making a statement."

In another case, the court heard disputes between two South Korean ships over delayed lubricant and coating material shipments despite repeated reminders.

Despite the matter having nothing to do with Shanghai, the relevant party pleaded the case here because it trusted the Shanghai Maritime Court's efficiency, experience, and fairness.

In a civil ruling delivered on August 7, 2025, the second day after the court filed the lawsuit, the ship in question, STO LOBELIA, was detained, leading to a quick settlement.

The arrest warrant was lifted after 48 hours, and the ship left the shores.

Because of its expertise in marine cases, the court is becoming a popular choice for international maritime disputes.

Between 2021 and 2025, the number of cases involving foreign plaintiffs or applicants and handled by the court had seen an increase of 269 percent.