In recent years, an increasing number of foreign parties have voluntarily chosen Chinese maritime courts to settle disputes that have no actual connection with China, showcasing their confidence in the country's high-level judicial services.

In September 2022, a Liberian-flagged container ship collided with a large Panama-flagged oil tanker in the Malacca Strait, resulting in severe damage to both vessels. The repair costs and loss of ship schedules amounted to nearly 100 million yuan ($13.8 million). Following the incident, both ships, with the ship owners registered in the Marshall Islands, unloaded in Malaysia. The Panama-flagged oil tanker subsequently arrived at a shipyard in Zhoushan, East China’s Zhejiang province, for repairs.

Under Chinese Maritime Law and relevant international conventions, courts in Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, Panama, Liberia and China all had jurisdiction over the case. Due to their trust in Chinese maritime courts for their rich experience, fairness, professionalism, and efficiency, the parties ultimately agreed to have the case heard by the Ningbo Maritime Court in East China’s Zhejiang province and to apply Chinese law.

On Dec 12, 2023, the Ningbo Maritime Court formed a collegiate bench in accordance with the law. Presided over by the court's president, Du Qian, the case was openly heard. After fully considering the arguments of the parties and examining the evidence provided, the court rendered a judgment in February 2024 based on the Chinese Maritime Law and the 1972 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Both parties accepted the first-instance judgment, and the defendant paid compensation accordingly.

In this case, the Ningbo Maritime Court demonstrated Chinese courts’ expertise in maritime adjudication by accurately applying Chinese law and international collision avoidance rules to resolve international maritime disputes. 

The Supreme People's Court of China said this case exemplified the extraterritorial application of Chinese law and showcased the international influence of Chinese maritime laws.