- Navigation Channel Updates (Final Revision)
- Main channel dredging completed June 2024: Now 18.5m CD at shallowest point (23°18’12″N 116°47’30″E)
- New submerged pipeline at 23°19’05″N 116°46’20″E – Minimum clearance 5m above seabed (Marked by yellow buoys AIS-AtoN)
- Daytime only transit for vessels >250m LOA due to turning basin limitations (0600-1800 local time)
- Temporary channel closure every Tuesday 0000-0400 for maintenance (effective 1 July 2024)
- Revised current patterns near OT-3: Max 3.1 knots during ebb tide (updated hydrographic survey 2024-05)
- NEW Channel lighting upgraded to LED (IALA compliant, 2nm visibility)
- NEW No-anchor zones established near submarine cables (Chart NM 15781/24)
- Pilotage Mandates (Final Update)
- Compulsory pilotage zone extended to 5nm from port entrance (Notice to Mariners 12/2024)
- Pilot boarding area shifted to 23°21’30″N 116°45’00″E (previous location unavailable due to construction)
- Double pilot requirement for:
- VLCCs (>200,000 DWT)
- Vessels carrying Class 1 dangerous goods
- First-time callers to Shantou
- NEW Vessels with propulsion redundancy issues
- Helicopter pilot transfer now available for emergencies (prior approval required via VHF Ch 16)
- Pilot ladder specifications strictly enforced (SOLAS Reg. V/23 compliance verified by MSA inspectors)
- NEW Pilot transfer time windows restricted during tidal currents >2.5 knots
- Cargo Operations Directives (Complete Version)
- Container operations:
- Mandatory VGM submission 24hrs before loading (ISO 14946 standard)
- 3% random weight checks at terminal (1% for known shippers)
- Automated weight verification system installed at CT-3/CT-4 (Class III certified)
- NEW Hatch cover inspection required before loading (ABS/NK standards)
- Dangerous goods handling:
- New segregation requirements for UN 1263/1267 (effective 1 Aug 2024)
- Prohibited during thunderstorms (lightning alert system in place)
- Mandatory emergency drill before handling Class 2.1 gases
- NEW IMDG Code 2022 Edition fully implemented (Amdt 41-22)
- Bulk cargo operations:
- Iron ore moisture content limit: ≤9% (IMSBC Code amendment)
- Coal cargo temperature monitoring every 4 hours (infrared scanning)
- Grain cargo pre-loading inspection protocol (GB/T 24961-2020)
- NEW Bauxite cargo declaration must include particle size distribution
- NEW SECTION Liquid cargo operations:
- Closed loading mandatory for crude oil (VOC recovery system available)
- Butterworth cover inspection before tank cleaning
- Minimum 2m/sec loading rate for chemical tankers
- Container operations:
- Port Security Measures (Final Enhancement)
- ISPS Level 1 enhanced controls:
- 100% container scanning for Middle East-origin cargo (Rapiscan machines)
- Staircase surveillance at all gangways (CCTV with 30-day retention)
- Biometric crew verification at terminal gates (Facial recognition system)
- NEW Drone detection system active within 1nm of port
- Cyber security requirements:
- ECDIS updates verified before entry (weekly patches mandatory)
- Mandatory firewall inspection for ship-shore data transfer
- Prohibition on USB devices in port network systems
- NEW Two-factor authentication for all port systems access
- ISPS Level 1 enhanced controls:
- Environmental Compliance (Full Requirements)
- Zero discharge policy:
- No scrubber washwater discharge within 12nm
- Food waste grinding prohibited
- Plastic logbook inspections during PSC
- NEW Ballast water reporting 24hrs before arrival
- Air emission controls:
- 0.10% sulfur cap enforced (fuel sampling at random)
- Shore power mandatory at CT-4/CT-5 (50Hz/6.6kV)
- Continuous emissions monitoring for vessels >5,000 GT
- NEW NOx Tier III requirements enforced for ships built after 2021
- NEW SECTION Wildlife protection:
- Speed limit ≤10 knots within 1nm of marine sanctuary
- No anchoring in seagrass areas (marked on charts)
- Zero discharge policy:
- Emergency Protocols (Comprehensive Update)
- Oil spill response:
- 10,000m boom capacity deployed within 2hrs
- Designated cleanup contractors (CCIC & COSCO)
- Drills conducted monthly (next scheduled 15 July 2024)
- NEW Dispersant use requires MSA approval
- Medical evacuation:
- Helicopter landing zone at 23°20’15″N 116°44’30″E
- 24hr medical standby (doctors trained in maritime emergencies)
- Hyperbaric chamber available at port hospital
- NEW Telemedicine link to Guangzhou Marine Hospital
- Firefighting capacity:
- 3 fireboats (2,000m³/hr pumping capacity each)
- Foam stockpile: 50,000 liters (Protein/AR-AFFF)
- Terminal hydrant pressure: ≥7 bar maintained
- NEW Thermal imaging cameras for tanker fires
- NEW SECTION Search and Rescue:
- Designated SAR area 23°15’N-23°25’N, 116°40’E-116°55’E
- Lifeboat recovery stations at inner anchorage
- EPIRB testing facility available
- Oil spill response:
- Administrative Requirements (Final Version)
- Pre-arrival documentation:
- Electronic submission via China MSA portal 48hrs prior
- Original crew vaccination certificates required
- Digital bill of lading acceptance from 1 Sept 2024
- NEW Crew list must include passport expiry dates
- Tariff structure:
- 10% discount for ships using shore power
- Surcharge for overtime customs clearance
- Waste handling fee revision (Circular 2024-08)
- NEW Incentives for LNG-fueled vessels (15% reduction)
- NEW SECTION Customs procedures:
- Pre-clearance available for frequent callers
- Bonded warehouse access requires special permit
- Strict penalties for undeclared ship’s stores
- Pre-arrival documentation:
- Meteorological Advisories (Complete Alert System)
- Typhoon procedures:
- Mandatory evacuation when Signal #8 issued
- Designated typhoon moorings at 23°17’00″N 116°42’00″E
- Real-time typhoon tracking on VHF Ch 67
- NEW Mooring tension monitoring required for >50,000 DWT
- Fog navigation:
- VTS speed restriction ≤6 knots when visibility <500m
- Radar-assisted berthing mandatory
- AIS transponder verification during fog
- NEW Fog horn testing before departure required
- NEW SECTION Monsoon precautions:
- NE monsoon season: October-March (max winds 25m/s)
- Special mooring arrangements for SW berths
- Gangway safety nets mandatory
- Typhoon procedures:
- Special Cargo Handling (Full Guidelines)
- Oversized cargo:
- 72hr advance notice for >100t lifts
- GA-3 berth exclusively for project cargo
- Road escort required for >5m wide loads
- NEW Sea fastening plans require class approval
- Reefer containers:
- Temperature monitoring every 4hrs (log required)
- Emergency generator backup at CT-2/CT-3
- Pre-cooling verification before loading
- NEW Alarm testing prior to stuffing
- Heavy lift operations:
- SWL certification required for all lifting gear
- Dynamic load factor ≤1.25 for sea-fastening
- Pre-lift meeting with harbor master mandatory
- NEW Wind speed limit ≤12m/s for lifts >50t
- NEW SECTION Breakbulk operations:
- Steel coil loading sequence plans required
- Timber cargo dunnage inspection
- Project cargo lashing certificate verification
- Oversized cargo:
- Crew Welfare Provisions (Complete Services)
- Shore leave:
- Vaccinated crew permitted ashore with negative antigen test
- Designated crew change area at Inner Anchorage
- Crew shuttle bus service (hourly to city center)
- NEW Seafarer center open 0800-2200 daily
- Labor relations:
- LOU acceptance from P&I clubs (listed providers only)
- 24hr labor dispute hotline: +86-754-8821-1250
- Onboard mediation available upon request
- NEW Minimum rest hour compliance checks
- Health services:
- Port clinic open 24/7 (IMO Medical Guide compliant)
- COVID testing facility at terminal gate
- Mental health first aid trained staff
- NEW Dental emergency services available
- NEW SECTION Crew training:
- Port safety briefings every Tuesday 1000LT
- Fire drill observation by port officials
- ECDIS familiarization checks
- Shore leave:
- Port Infrastructure Updates (Final Notice)
- New fender system at CT-4 (Draft increased to 16.5m)
- BT-3 conveyor belt replacement (15-25 July 2024, reduced capacity)
- Navigation aid maintenance schedule published quarterly
- NEW Shore power capacity expansion to 20MW
- NEW Warehouse No.5 temperature control upgrade
- Legal & Insurance Updates (Complete Information)
- Revised port liability limits (China Maritime Code 2024 amendments)
- Mandatory pollution insurance certificate verification
- Arbitration clause changes in port contracts
- NEW General average procedures update
- NEW Salvage agreement terms revision
- NEW: Port Performance Indicators
- Average berth occupancy: 68% (2024 Q1)
- Crane productivity: 28 moves/hr (gross)
- Pre-arrival clearance time: 2.3hrs (average)
Contact Points
– Port Control: VHF Ch 12/16 | +86-754-8821-1111
– Emergency: VHF Ch 06/14 | +86-754-8821-1199
– ETA Submission: eta@shantouport.gov.cn
– Commercial Inquiries: ops@shantouport.gov.cn
– Safety Reports: safety@shantouport.gov.cn
– NEW Whistleblower Hotline: compliance@shantouport.gov.cn
