I. Regulatory Compliance Framework
- Primary Legislation:
- Maritime Traffic Safety Law of China (2021 Amendment, Article 25-32)
- Yangtze River Navigation Safety Regulations (MSA Order No.15/2023)
- IMO Resolution A.1153(32) for Inland Waterway Pilotage
- Port-Specific Regulations:
- Jiangsu MSA Notice 2024-02 (Revised Pilotage Requirements)
- Jiangyin Port Authority Operation Manual (V4.3, Jan 2024)
- China Classification Society Rules for Yangtze Navigation (2023)
II. Pilotage Service Parameters
A. Boarding Procedures
- Mandatory boarding locations:
- Main station: Wusongkou Pilot Station (31°25’36″N 121°34’12″E)
- Minimum approach speed: 6 knots
- Daylight boarding window: 0600-1730 LT (extended to 1900 LT summer)
- Alternate stations:
- No.7 Waiting Area (31°30’00″N 121°20’00″E) – Emergency use only
- Liuhekou Transfer Point (31°45’00″N 121°02’00″E)
- Main station: Wusongkou Pilot Station (31°25’36″N 121°34’12″E)
- Equipment requirements:
- Pilot ladder: 2.5m clear of ship’s side, certified annually
- Minimum freeboard: 1.8m during boarding
- Lighting: 100 lux at boarding position at night
B. Navigation Channel Specifications
| Segment | Start Position | End Position | Guaranteed Depth | Channel Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yangtze Estuary to Jiangyin | 31°25’36″N 121°34’12″E | 31°55’20″N 120°15’55″E | 12.5m (CD) | 500m |
| Jiangyin Port Approaches | 31°53’00″N 120°20’00″E | 31°56’40″N 120°12’30″E | 10.8m (CD) | 300m |
III. Critical Infrastructure Clearances
A. Vertical Clearance Table
| Structure Name | Type | Location (WGS84) | Clearance (MHWS) | Tidal Variation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sutong Bridge | Suspension | 31°47’12″N 121°00’45″E | 62.0m | +3.8m spring tide |
| Jiangyin Bridge | Suspension | 31°55’20″N 120°15’55″E | 50.0m | +2.9m spring tide |
| Xicheng High Voltage Cable | Overhead power | 31°50’00″N 120°30’00″E | 52.4m | – |
B. Cable & Pipeline Crossings
- Submarine cable zones:
- West Channel Crossing (31°51’00″N 120°25’00″E)
- Depth: 28m below CD
- Protection zone: 500m each side
- West Channel Crossing (31°51’00″N 120°25’00″E)
- Pipeline areas:
- Jiangyin Chemical Pipeline Corridor (31°54’00″N 120°18’00″E)
- Speed limit: 8 knots
- No-anchoring zone: 1000m radius
- Jiangyin Chemical Pipeline Corridor (31°54’00″N 120°18’00″E)
IV. Operational Restrictions
A. Vessel Size Limitations
- Channel capacity:
- Maximum LOA: 230m (subject to tide conditions)
- Maximum beam: 32.26m (one-way traffic if >32m)
- Air draft restriction: ≤45m (including antennas)
- Special conditions:
- Vessels >50,000 DWT: Tidal window restrictions apply
- Chemical tankers: Additional tug requirement
B. Navigation Timeline
- All vessels must:
- Submit ETA 24h + 6h + 1h advance notice
- Confirm pilot request 4h before boarding
- Night navigation:
- Permitted for vessels ≤50,000 DWT with:
- Functioning dual radar systems
- Enhanced bridge team (3 officers minimum)
- Surcharge: 35% base fee (Yangtze MSA Tariff No.2023-08)
- Permitted for vessels ≤50,000 DWT with:
V. Port-Specific Procedures
A. Berthing Requirements
| Terminal | Berth No. | Max LOA | Max Draft | Special Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jiangyin General Cargo | 1-3 | 190m | 10.5m | Tug assistance mandatory |
| Xinrong Container | 4-6 | 220m | 11.8m | Prior crane coordination required |
B. Emergency Protocols
- Distress channels:
- Primary: VHF CH 16 (continuous watch)
- Secondary: CH 06 (Jiangyin Port Ops)
- Abort points:
- Downbound: No.25 Light Buoy (31°56’00″N 120°12’00″E)
- Upbound: No.37 Light Buoy (31°45’00″N 121°00’00″E)
VI. Important Notices
- Tidal restrictions:
- Neap tide period (2 days/month): Draft reduction 0.8m
- Typhoon season (Jun-Sep): Additional ballast may be required
