Notices of Taicang Port to the Masters and Ship Operators

1. 1. Navigational Safety Notices
      • Channel depth maintained at 16.5m (CD) with 1.0m underkeel clearance mandatory for vessels >50,000DWT (MSA Notice 2024-03)
      • Revised traffic separation scheme effective 2024-01-15 (Admiralty Chart 3441(6)) with new waypoints:
        • WP TC-1: 31°35.00’N 121°20.00’E
        • WP TC-2: 31°37.50’N 121°18.00’E
        • New 2024: WP TC-3 added at 31°39.00’N 121°16.00’E
      • Mandatory AIS transmission within 12nm of port limits (Taicang Port Rule 15.2)
      • Fog procedures (visibility <1,000m):
        • VHF Ch 16/12 continuous watch
        • Speed ≤5 knots in inner harbor
        • Radar activation and fog signals
        • New 2024: Automatic fog horn system installed at breakwater
      • Typhoon contingency (Signal #8):
        • Cargo operations cease immediately
        • Vessels >100,000DWT must depart to designated safe anchorages
        • Tugs on 2-hour standby
        • New 2024: Mandatory position reporting every 30 minutes
      • Radar coverage extended to 25nm offshore with new ARPA system (MSA Notice 2024-07)
      • New 2024: Submarine cable protection zone established 2nm NE of main channel
   2. Pilotage Requirements
      • Compulsory pilotage zone extended to 15nm offshore (MSA Regulation 2024-1)
      • Pilot boarding areas:
        • Outer Boarding: 31°35’N 121°20’E (vessels >200m LOA)
        • Inner Boarding: 31°40’N 121°15’E (all other vessels)
        • New 2024: Emergency boarding area at 31°38’N 121°17’E
      • Pilot ladder requirements:
        • Combination ladder mandatory for freeboard >9m
        • Night boarding illumination ≥100 lux
        • Annual certification required
        • New 2024: Laser distance measurement for ladder angle verification
      • Pilotage fees increased 8% effective 2024-04-01 (Taicang Port Tariff No.5)
      • Helicopter transfer available for emergency cases (prior approval required)
      • New 2024: Pilot transfer during restricted visibility now permitted with special equipment
   3. Port Security Measures
      • ISPS Level 1 enhanced measures:
        • Pre-arrival security declaration 96hrs prior
        • Armed guards permitted with 72hr notice
        • Drone operations prohibited within 5nm
        • New 2024: Cybersecurity declaration for all vessel systems
      • Restricted areas:
        • Oil terminal: 500m exclusion zone
        • Container terminal gantry area: No unauthorized personnel
        • New 2024: LNG terminal 800m exclusion zone
      • Cyber security:
        • IMO 2021 cyber risk management required
        • ECDIS updates verification before entry
        • New 2024: Mandatory antivirus software updates log
      • Biometric crew identification system implemented at all terminals
      • New 2024: X-ray scanning for all provisions deliveries
   4. Cargo Operations
      • Container weight verification:
        • VGM tolerance ±2%
        • Random checks on 10% of containers
        • Misdeclaration fines up to USD 5,000 per box
        • New 2024: Automated weight verification at gantry cranes
      • Dangerous goods:
        • IMDG Class 4.1 cargoes require special permit
        • Temperature-controlled DG continuous monitoring
        • Class 1 segregation distances increased 20%
        • New 2024: Mandatory DG cargo tracking system
      • Bulk cargo:
        • Coal: Methane testing every 8hrs
        • Iron ore fines: TML certificate <6.5%
        • Grain: Fumigation notice 48hrs in advance
        • New 2024: Real-time dust monitoring for all bulk ops
      • Mandatory use of container lashing software for vessels >8,000TEU
      • New 2024: Prohibited cargo list updated (including certain lithium battery types)
   5. Environmental Regulations
      • Fuel oil sampling:
        • 3-way split sampling mandatory
        • 0.50% sulfur limit enforced (USD 50,000 fines)
        • New 2024: Continuous emissions monitoring for tankers
      • Ballast water:
        • USCG-type approved systems required for US-bound vessels
        • Exchange prohibited within 12nm
        • New 2024: Ballast water sampling port facility available
      • Waste disposal:
        • Segregated waste collection system
        • Plastic waste tracking manifests
        • Oil residue discharge limited to 30L per operation
        • New 2024: Mandatory food waste separation
      • Real-time emissions monitoring for vessels at berth
      • New 2024: Zero liquid discharge policy for hazardous waste
   6. Port Services Update
      • Tug availability:
        • Minimum 3 tugs for vessels >200m LOA
        • New Z-Tech 6500 tugs (80t bollard pull)
        • New 2024: Emergency tug stationed at river mouth
      • Bunkering:
        • Mass Flow Meters mandatory for >100mt
        • New LSFO 0.3% blend available
        • New 2024: Biofuel trial program (B20 blend)
      • Provisions:
        • 24hr delivery with customs pre-clearance
        • Medical supplies require health department approval
        • New 2024: Cold chain monitoring for pharmaceuticals
      • Drone-based line handling available for VLCCs
      • New 2024: Underwater hull cleaning service (eco-approved)
   7. Emergency Procedures
      • Emergency contacts:
        • Port Control: +86-512-5310-12395
        • Oil Spill Response: +86-512-5310-1199
        • Medical Emergency: +86-512-5310-1200
        • New 2024: Dedicated emergency VHF Ch 67
      • Firefighting:
        • 2 FiFi1 class fireboats operational
        • Terminal foam systems tested monthly
        • New 2024: Thermal imaging cameras installed
      • Abandon ship drills:
        • Within 24hrs of arrival
        • Unannounced observations possible
        • New 2024: Must include cyber attack scenario
      • New 2024: Emergency towing vessels on 1-hour standby
      • New 2024: Dedicated medical evacuation helicopter pad
   8. Administrative Requirements
      • Documentation:
        • Cyber Security Declaration (Form TC-2024)
        • Crew Vaccination Records (WHO approved)
        • Digital crew manifests required from 2024-07-01
        • New 2024: Electronic bills of lading mandatory
      • Port fees:
        • 5% green ship discount for EEDI Phase 3 vessels
        • 10% increase for anchorage stays >72hrs
        • Night operations surcharge (20%) after 2200hrs
        • New 2024: Carbon tax for vessels >10,000GT
      • Crew changes:
        • 48hr notice for sign-on/off
        • COVID testing no longer required
        • Mandatory crew welfare declaration
        • New 2024: Seafarer ID biometric verification
   9. Special Operational Notes
      • Container terminal:
        • Gantry crane outreach increased to 72m
        • LED lighting provides 200lux minimum
        • Automated mooring system at Berths 8-10
        • New 2024: AI-based stowage planning required
      • Oil terminal:
        • Vapor recovery systems mandatory
        • Quick-release mooring hooks installed
        • Double-hull bunker barges required
        • New 2024: Static electricity monitoring system
      • Bulk terminal:
        • Dust suppression activated when winds >10m/s
        • Conveyor belt speed reduced 20% during rain
        • Radiation screening for all mineral cargoes
        • New 2024: Automated sampling system
   10. Upcoming Changes (2024-2025)
       • New deep-water terminal (Phase 3):
         • 500m berth length
         • 20m depth alongside
         • Capacity for 24,000 TEU vessels
         • Opening delayed to Q4 2024
         • New: Shore power connection points (11kV)
       • Digital port clearance system from 2024-07-01
       • Mandatory shore power for all vessels >5,000GT from 2025-01-01
       • LNG bunkering infrastructure completion Q2 2025
       • New: Automated customs clearance gates 2025
   11. Vessel Inspection Requirements
       • Pre-arrival checklist:
         • Engine room cleanliness verification
         • Ballast water records for past 12 months
         • Updated garbage management plan
         • New 2024: Cyber security drill records
       • Port State Control focus areas:
         • Fire damper operation
         • Emergency generator fuel quality
         • Lifeboat engine start capability
         • New 2024: ECDIS backup system test
       • Cyber security audit for tankers >20,000DWT
       • New 2024: Cargo hold atmosphere testing equipment
   12. Meteorological Information
       • Prevailing winds:
         • NE monsoon (Oct-Mar): 15-25 knots
         • SW monsoon (Apr-Sep): 10-20 knots
         • New 2024: Microburst warning system installed
       • Current patterns:
         • Flood tide: NW setting, max 3.2 knots
         • Ebb tide: SE setting, max 3.5 knots
         • New 2024: Real-time current monitoring at turning basin
       • New: Typhoon early warning system with 72hr forecast
   13. Communications Protocol
       • VHF channels:
         • Port Control: Ch 12 (primary), 16 (secondary)
         • Pilotage: Ch 09
         • Tugs: Ch 71
         • New 2024: Emergency working channel Ch 67
       • Digital communications:
         • Mandatory email reporting 24hrs before ETA
         • Web-based declaration system (porttaicang.cn)
         • New 2024: Digital twin port interface available
       • Satellite backup communication required for VLCCs
       • New 2024: Mandatory AIS-SART testing before departure

Important Notes:
Mandatory pre-arrival briefing for first-time vessels