The Maritime Code 2015 came into force on July 1, 2017. The Maritime Code 2015 has a full set of regulations governing all activities in the maritime sector. The following is a synthesis of the Maritime Code 2005 and 2015.
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Maritime Code 2005
The Vietnam Maritime Code was passed by the National Assembly XI at its 7th session on June 14, 2005 and announced by the President under No. 13/2005/L-CTN dated June 27, 2005. It was very important for the development and integration of the national economy and the maritime industry in particular. In the context of the trend towards globalization, the global maritime activities are increasing, the role of the “bridge” of the maritime economy becomes even more important.
The Maritime Code 2005 includes 18 Chapters and 261 Articles with a wide scope of regulation, diverse subjects of application and very complex contents (especially the institutions applied on the basis of the provisions of law and international maritime rules).
Compared with the Maritime Code 1990 which had no regulations or had inconsistent regulations inconsistent with actual conditions of Vietnam, the Maritime Code 2005 has adjusted harmoniously and closely to the reality of our country.
The 2015 Maritime Code came into force on July 1, 2017. The 2015 Maritime Code has comprehensive regulations governing all activities in the maritime sector. The following is a summary of the Maritime Code 2005 and 2015.
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Maritime Code 2015
On November 25, 2015, at the 10th session, the XIII National Assembly passed the Vietnam Maritime Code No.95/2015/QH13. The Code is an important legal basis governing maritime operations, including regulations on ships, crew members, seaports, navigational channels, inland ports, transportation, maritime safety, maritime security, environmental protection, maritime state administration and other activities related to the use of ships for economic, cultural, social, sports, instruments and scientific research purposes.
Maritime Code 2015 includes 20 Chapters, 341 Articles, an increase of 2 chapters and 8 articles compared to the Maritime Code 2005. The Code has been studied, amended and supplemented comprehensively to meet the requirements of international association, deepening and promoting maritime economic development in a new stage of the country’s economy.
By synthesizing the Maritime Code 2005 and 2015, we wish to highlight some new and additional points of the Code of 2015 compared to the Code of 2005.
More precisely, the synthesis of the Maritime Code 2005 and 2015 states that the maritime development policies have been supplemented by the Code, in a complete and detailed manner, in the fields of investment, construction of seaport infrastructure, development of ships fleets and crew members. They also meet domestic and international requirements; strengthen international integration, apply advanced and modern science and technology in the maritime field to guide and serve as a basis for the Government to promulgate specific policies in each period in accordance with the actual development.
In addition, the synthesis of the Maritime Code 2005 and 2015 further states that the Maritime Code 2015 has added a new chapter on maritime safety, maritime security and environmental protection with detailed regulations on maritime safety and security; search and rescue at sea; regulations on scope of protection and incident handling in the protection of marine structures; environmental protection in maritime operations, ship demolition.
The synthesis of the Maritime Code 2005 and 2015 specially expresses the importance of maritime security. The Maritime Code has added a chapter on the arrest of seagoing ships with detailed provisions on authority, responsibility, conditions, deadline, and financial security and documents related to the arrest of seagoing ships and the release of arrested ships to secure settlement of maritime claims.
Conclusion
After 04 years of implementation of the Maritime Code 2015, the synthesis of the Maritime Code 2005 and 2015 shows in practice that the Maritime Code has contributed to strength, order and discipline the maritime operations and maritime safety, maritime security, and environmental pollution prevention.
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