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- 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
- 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
- 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
- ISPS Level 1 enhanced measures:
- 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)
- Container weight verification:
- 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
- Fuel oil sampling:
- 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)
- Tug availability:
- 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
- Emergency contacts:
- 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
- Documentation:
- 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
- Container terminal:
- 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
- New deep-water terminal (Phase 3):
- 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
- Pre-arrival checklist:
- 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
- Prevailing winds:
- 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
- VHF channels:
- Navigational Safety Notices
Important Notes:
Mandatory pre-arrival briefing for first-time vessels
