Tianjin's first temporary maritime arbitration case lands, "Jinhai Fa Tong" unlocks a new paradigm for one-stop waterborne dispute resolution.

On July 21, the Tianjin Maritime Safety Administration's "one-stop" maritime dispute resolution center successfully completed the arbitration hearing of a foreign-related maritime personal injury compensation dispute through the "Jinhai Legal Communication" on-site mobile arbitration court. This case is the first maritime ad hoc arbitration case in Tianjin to apply the "China Maritime Law Association Ad Hoc Arbitration Rules" since the implementation of the newly revised "Arbitration Law of the People's Republic of China." It marks a breakthrough in Tianjin's diversified maritime dispute resolution mechanism and adds a new tool for the rule of law construction of the Northern International Shipping Center.

It is understood that the case originated from a foreign-related maritime personal injury dispute. During the berthing operation of a foreign vessel at Tianjin Port, a ship inspection practitioner was injured while boarding the ship to inspect lifesaving equipment. A dispute arose between the parties over compensation, prompting them to voluntarily apply for mediation at Tianjin's "one-stop" maritime dispute resolution center. Adhering to the principle of "mediate when possible, mediate thoroughly," the center accepted the mediation application and promptly initiated the resolution process. A dedicated mediator was assigned to handle the case, securing key evidence, investigating the facts, determining responsibility, and conducting multiple rounds of communication focusing on core issues such as the scope and method of compensation. The mediator fully explained relevant laws, regulations, and industry practices, guiding both parties toward rational negotiation. Ultimately, the parties reached an agreement on the compensation plan, resolving the conflict at an early stage and embodying the layered dispute resolution concept of "mediation first, litigation as a last resort."

To effectively safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the parties, the case smoothly transitioned into the ad hoc arbitration process with the consent of both parties. The entire case was conducted under the "China Maritime Law Association Ad Hoc Arbitration Rules" and was heard by a sole arbitrator. The arbitration was held in Tianjin, with professional guidance and strict oversight provided by the Tianjin Arbitration Commission and the Maritime and Admiralty Law Committee of the Tianjin Lawyers Association. The arbitration process fully aligned with international maritime dispute resolution practices. Additionally, the entire case was handled as a public welfare service with zero arbitration fees, significantly reducing the cost of rights protection for maritime market entities. Relying on the "Jinhai Legal Communication" on-site mobile arbitration court located within the maritime institution, the case achieved a full-chain one-stop service of on-site acceptance, mediation, and arbitration. The arbitration court will subsequently issue an award in accordance with the law, granting the mediation agreement enforceable power.

The successful implementation of this first maritime ad hoc arbitration case fills a gap in the practice of ad hoc arbitration in Tianjin's maritime sector. It provides foreign-related shipping companies and practitioners with a new dispute resolution channel that is aligned with international standards, efficient, convenient, and cost-effective. Building on this practice, the Tianjin Maritime Safety Administration continues to upgrade the construction of the "one-stop" maritime dispute resolution center, incorporating professional institutions such as the Maritime and Admiralty Law Committee into its member units. It is expanding the scope of diversified dispute resolution matters, including seafarer wage claims, personal injury compensation, and marine ecological protection. The administration is also improving a collaborative dispute resolution system that integrates maritime mediation, professional arbitration, industry collaboration, and judicial empowerment. This new resolution model of "maritime mediation for dispute resolution + ad hoc arbitration for enforcement" effectively shortens the handling cycle of foreign-related maritime disputes, reduces the cost of rights protection for market entities, and promotes a more diversified and complete modern shipping service system.

Next, the Tianjin Maritime Safety Administration will continue to advance the standardization and normalization of the "one-stop" maritime dispute resolution center. It will further deepen the construction of the full-chain dispute resolution system of "maritime mediation + professional arbitration + judicial confirmation," continuously improving new mechanisms for resolving maritime disputes such as ad hoc arbitration. The administration aims to fully achieve the goals of "small issues not leaving the ship, major issues not leaving the port, and conflicts not being escalated," injecting new momentum into the development of Tianjin Port as a world-class port and the core area of the Northern International Shipping Center.