Notices of Qinhuangdao Port to the Masters and Ship Operators

• Revised VTS routing scheme effective 2024-03-01 (China MSA Notice 2024-02)
• Channel dredging operations ongoing until 2024-06-30 (250m restricted width)
• Mandatory AIS verification within 12nm radius of port entrance
• New radar interference zone at 39°54’N 119°37’E
• Real-time depth monitoring available on VHF CH 71
• Updated TSS: Westbound vessels maintain 150m from centerline
• New reporting points at 39°58’N 119°45’E and 39°52’N 119°42’E for >20,000GT vessels

2. Berthing Regulations

• Coal terminals require ISO 589:2008 moisture certification (24hr advance)
• Maximum trim reduced to 1% of LOA (Circular PQA-2023-45)
• OT-1/OT-2 fender upgrades: Minimum 3 breast lines required
• Berth D-5 closed until 2024-09-30 (use D-4/D-6 alternatives)
• Enhanced mooring line certification checks
• Bollard load certificates must be visibly displayed
• Winter mooring: Extra spring lines below -10°C

3. Cargo Operations

• Iron ore dust suppression mandatory above 10m/s winds
• Container VGM requires certified shore scales only
• DG operations restricted to daylight (Classes 1,2.1,2.3,5.2,6.2,7)
• Grain sampling: 3 samples/10,000MT (GB 1353-2018)
• Coal stockpile height limit: 15m with fire prevention
• Coal trimming: ≤5° from horizontal
• Reefer monitoring: Data logging every 4 hours

4. Pilotage Services

• New boarding position at 39°57’N 119°42’E (>50,000DWT)
• Strict pilot ladder compliance: 2m above platform with spreaders
• Helicopter transfer zone at 39°56’N 119°35’E
• Pilot exemptions suspended during fog season (Apr-Jun)
• VLCC night transit: Dual pilots after 2000hrs
• No transfers above 2.5m wave height
• Boarding window: ±15 minutes of scheduled time

5. Environmental Compliance

• Zero discharge within 12nm (including grey water – MEPC.337(76))
• 0.1% sulfur fuel at berth (China ECA)
• Ballast records must include salinity data
• New oil record book format (China MSA Form 2024-ORB)
• Plastic waste manifest required (>400GT)
• EGCS discharge sampling mandatory
• VOC recovery at oil terminal: Vapor return lines required

6. Security Measures

• ISPS Level 1 enhanced: Armed patrols at energy terminals
• Cyber security: IT audit report 48hrs pre-arrival
• Crew changes at Dock C-3 (24hr notice)
• Drone prohibition within 5km
• 24/7 gangway monitoring with CCTV
• Random stores/parts inspections
• AIS silent mode mandatory when berthed

7. Emergency Procedures

• >10,000DWT: Pre-stock 200m containment boom
• New muster station: 39°54’30″N 119°36’00″E (orange buoys)
• Night medevac helicopters available
• Firefighting capacity: 8,000m³/hr at main berths
• Drills must test EPIRB/SART equipment
• >20,000DWT: Stern towing bridle ready
• Emergency coordination: VHF CH 06

8. Administrative Requirements

• ePAN system mandatory since 2024-01-01
• Crew vaccines: COVID-19 + yellow fever (tropical routes)
• Port dues now GT-based (Circular PQA-2024-01)
• Customs declaration 6hrs pre-ETA (single-window)
• Updated crew list format (passport expiry dates)
• New health declaration (Form 2024-MHD) 24hrs pre-arrival
• Electronic BDNs mandatory

9. Meteorological Warnings

• NE monsoon (Nov-Mar): Hourly mooring checks >25kt
• Sea ice (Jan-Feb): Icebreaker assistance available
• Fog season (Apr-Jun): Maintain radar watch at anchor
• Typhoon plan activates at Signal No. 3
• Microburst alerts on VHF CH 16
• Heat stress: Work stoppage >32°C WBGT
• Lightning: Suspend ops within 5nm of storms

10. Special Cargo Provisions

• Coal >18% moisture: Additional stability calcs
• Direct rail-ship iron ore at D-7/D-9 (pre-arranged)
• LNG: 500m exclusion zone during transfer
• Project cargo at G-3 (max SWL 250T)
• New reefer plugs: 440V/60Hz at container terminal
• Heavy lifts >100T: Port engineer approval
• Grain fumigation: Phosphine detectors mandatory

11. Technical Services

• Hull cleaning: Environmental approval required
• BWTS testing at Repair Dock R-2
• Shore power: 6.6kV/60Hz at main berths
• Bunker testing: Mandatory >500MT
• Equipment calibration (ISO 17025 certified)
• Crane load tests: 12-month certificate validity
• Tank cleaning: Chemical tanks require triple wash

12. Legal Updates

• Port damage liability: CNY 50,000 (<10,000GT)
• Pollution insurance: Minimum USD 100M coverage
• Revised MARPOL penalties (2024-04-01)
• Arbitration per China Maritime Code 2023
• Cargo claims: File within 14 days of discharge
• Demurrage now includes weather downtime
• PSC inspections: Expanded bulk carrier checklist

13. Crew Welfare

• Water quality testing every 6 months
• Recreation facilities at Dock C-3 (0800-2200)
• Port clinic medical checks (appointment)
• Shore leave: No restrictions for vaccinated
• Mental health hotline: +86 335 309 8888

14. Port Infrastructure Updates

• New container gantry cranes operational at Berth CT-4 (50T SWL)
• Dredging completed in Inner Harbor approach channel (14.5m depth)
• Shore power capacity expansion to cover 90% of berths by 2024-Q3
• New hazardous materials warehouse at Dock C-2 (Class 1-9 storage)
• Emergency generator backup for all port lighting systems

15. Vessel Traffic Services

• New VHF coverage extended to 25nm offshore (CH 14/16/71)
• Mandatory position reporting every 30 minutes during anchorage
• Automatic identification system (AIS) base station upgraded
• Weather broadcast intervals reduced to hourly during storms
• New radar surveillance coverage for southern anchorage area

16. Bunkering Operations

• Low-sulfur fuel availability guaranteed at all times
• New mass flow meters installed for all bunker barges
• Bunker sampling protocol now follows ISO 13739:2023
• Emergency spill response teams on 15-minute standby
• Barge mooring requirements: Minimum 4 lines during operations

17. Port State Control

• Concentrated inspection campaign (CIC) on fire safety systems
• New targeting matrix for high-risk vessels
• Expanded checklist for bulk carrier inspections
• Mandatory documentation verification prior to departure
• Deficiency rectification time reduced to 24 hours for critical items

18. Customs Procedures

• Electronic manifest submission 24 hours before arrival
• New fast-track clearance for vessels with good compliance records
• Strict controls on ship’s stores declaration
• Revised duty-free allowances for crew provisions
• Mandatory customs escort for certain hazardous materials

19. Health and Quarantine

• Updated vaccination requirements per WHO International Health Regulations
• Medical waste disposal facilities available at all terminals
• Pest control certification valid for 6 months
• Water quality testing mandatory for all potable water deliveries
• Enhanced sanitation inspection regime for galley areas

20. Communication Protocols

• Primary working channel changed to VHF CH 12 (Port Operations)
• Mandatory English language proficiency for all VHF communications
• New digital notice board system at all berths
• Emergency broadcast testing every Tuesday 1000-1015 local time
• Revised phonetic alphabet requirements for vessel identification