The Legal and Policy Framework for Shipping Noise Pollution Governance in China: Status Quo, Challenges, and Optimization

The shipping industry serves as an integral component of the global and regional economy development; however, the anthropogenic acoustic emissions generated during its operations pose considerable threats to human health, marine biodiversity and ecosystems, ultimately undermining the foundations of sustainable development. With the expansion of global trade and the continued growth of maritime transport, strengthening the governance of shipping noise pollution has emerged as a critical issue of international concern. The effective governance of shipping noise is no longer a peripheral environmental issue but an imperative, cross-sectoral challenge. Addressing it is critical for ensuring the integrity of marine ecosystems, safeguarding biodiversity, and advancing the long-term sustainability of our blue economy. This study investigates the legal and policy framework for shipping noise governance in China and finds that China has established a foundation for addressing shipping noise pollution through a dual-track legislative system which is supplemented by systematically deployed policy measures aiming at advancing noise mitigation in shipping. However, the current institutional framework exhibits some limitations. This study summarizes existing experiences, identifies areas requiring further improvement and attention, and offers recommendations for enhancing domestic legal frameworks on shipping noise pollution as well as promoting international cooperation in shipping noise governance.