Shanghai

Survival information

Practical information for crew arriving here. Verified where possible — see sources. Spot a mistake or missing detail? Tell us.

Related rights: shore leave · medical care · abandonment · unpaid wages.

Shanghai: seafarer FAQ

Is shore leave allowed at Shanghai?

Shore leave at Shanghai: China rules vary by port. Most foreign crew need either a C-visa (crew, issued in advance) OR an in-port shore-leave permit issued at the master's / agent's discretion. Some northern ports stricter than southern. Always carry passport + Discharge Book + Joining/Leaving Letter + a copy of the crew list. Reference: visaforchina.cn.. Shore leave policy is set by the port authority, the flag administration, and the visa regime of China. Confirm with the agent before stepping ashore.

What visa or shore-pass do I need for Shanghai?

Seafarers calling at Shanghai on a vessel are generally exempt from regular tourist visas under Convention 108 / 185 (Seafarers' Identity Documents) if their flag administration has ratified the convention and they hold an SID. The standard document is the seaman's book + ship's crew list. China may also require a shore pass issued by the agent. Confirm before you board the vessel — visa rules vary by nationality and by recent immigration-policy changes.

Is there a seafarer welfare centre at Shanghai?

No welfare centre is currently listed for Shanghai in our directory. If you need assistance, the nearest centre may be in a neighbouring port or the country's principal seafarer hub. ISWAN's 24-hour SeafarerHelp line and the ITF helpline both cover China regardless of whether a centre exists locally.

Is there a crisis or welfare helpline I can call from Shanghai?

Yes — 6 helplines are listed for China in our directory, plus ISWAN's 24-hour multilingual SeafarerHelp (+44 20 7323 2737) and the ITF Helpline. Helplines handle crisis support, abandonment, wage theft, mental health, and bereavement.

What's the nearest hospital to Shanghai?

Most major ports have a port-area hospital with seafarer-accustomed admissions; the welfare centre and the ship's agent can both advise. For serious cases, the nearest international hospital is normally in the same city or the next major city. The nearest major airport is Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), about 15 km away — useful for medevac planning.

For the arriving crew

• Pilot ladder (SOLAS V/23) — rigging + inspection + Master's duty of care.
• Pre-arrival checklist — the standard bridge + engine + agent workflow before entering port.
• Ships' agent — role + documentation + interface with pilotage + tug + immigration.
• Currency at port — cash-carrying limits + declaration + safe practices.
• Hours of rest — STCW VIII/1 + MLC A2.3 rest rules during port operations.