New Regulations Tighten Port Access for Foreign Ships
In response to recent incidents involving cable damage and to enhance maritime safety, Taiwan has implemented stricter port visit application processes for vessels from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. The new regulations require these ships to undergo a more extensive paperwork review, which could take up to a month per visit. Additionally, vessels flying the flags of Cameroon, Tanzania, Mongolia, Togo, and Sierra Leone will also face similar requirements, with applications subject to scrutiny by Taiwanese security officials before approval by the Maritime and Port Administration.
Increased Scrutiny for Maritime Security
Taiwan’s decision to tighten port access comes amid growing concerns over the safety of its subsea infrastructure. Recent months have seen multiple attacks attributed to merchant ships dragging their anchors, raising alarms similar to those experienced in the Baltic region. In January, Taiwan blacklisted 52 Chinese-owned vessels, and the National Security Bureau has indicated that ships with a history of misreporting will be prioritized for inspection at ports.
Under the new regulations, any foreign ship that enters within 24 nautical miles of Taiwan’s coast, particularly near undersea cables, will be closely monitored. The coast guard is authorized to board and investigate these vessels to ensure compliance with safety protocols. This heightened vigilance aims to prevent further incidents that could jeopardize Taiwan’s critical maritime infrastructure.
One notable case involved the Togo-flagged vessel Hongtai 68, which was accused of damaging undersea cables. The ship’s crew reportedly changed its identity multiple times by simply replacing three steel plates on its bow and stern. This vessel has also operated under the names Hongtai 58 and Shanmei 7. The captain of the Hongtai 68, referred to in local media as the “thousand faces ship,” has previously been caught entering Taiwan with falsified documents, highlighting the challenges Taiwan faces in ensuring maritime security.
