1. Regulatory Framework & Compliance
- Primary Regulations:
- PRC Maritime Traffic Safety Law (2021 Amendment, Articles 35-42)
- Yangtze River Protection Law (State Council Order No.739)
- MSA Yangtze River Pilotage Regulations (2021 Edition with 2023 Supplement)
- Chizhou-Specific:
- Chizhou Port Safety Management Rules (CZPA Regulation 2023-05)
- Anhui Province Inland Waterway Navigation Ordinance (2022 Revision)
- International Compliance:
- SOLAS Chapter V/23 (Pilot Transfer Arrangements)
- MARPOL Annex VI (Yangtze ECA Requirements)
2. Mandatory Pilotage Zones & Transfer Points
| Location |
River KM |
Coordinates |
Applicable Vessels |
Transfer Method |
| Baoshan Main Station |
0-10 |
31°23’N 121°30’E |
All ocean-going ≥500GT |
Pilot Boat (Type A certified) |
| Waigaoqiao Alternate |
38 |
31°19’N 121°35’E |
Vessels <200m LOA |
Pontoon Transfer |
| Anqing Transfer Point |
242 |
30°30’N 117°03’E |
Chizhou-bound ≥10,000DWT |
Helicopter (HECP approved) |
| Nanjing Emergency |
312 |
32°06’N 118°44’E |
Diverted vessels |
Shore-based ladder |
Critical Notes:
- Pilot ladder must comply with ISO 799:2019 standards
- Mandatory VHF Channels: 06 (Pilot), 08 (Chizhou Port), 16 (Emergency)
- Electronic boarding requests via China MSA e-Portal (submit 72h pre-ETA)
3. Vertical Clearance Profile (Yangtze Estuary to Chizhou)
| River KM |
Structure |
Design Clearance |
Operational Clearance* |
Verification Method |
| 0-10 |
Yangtze River Bridge |
55.0m |
52.0m (+3.0m tide) |
LIDAR survey 2024.02 |
| 38 |
Waigaoqiao Cables |
42.0m |
40.5m (+1.5m tide) |
Monthly inspection |
| 160 |
Jiangyin Bridge |
53.0m |
50.0m (+2.5m tide) |
Strain gauge monitoring |
| 210 |
Runyang Bridge |
53.0m |
50.0m (+2.5m tide) |
South span only |
| 312 |
Nanjing 4th Bridge |
52.0m |
50.0m (+2.0m tide) |
Eastern navigation span |
| 487 |
Chizhou Power Lines |
20.0m |
18.0m (fixed) |
Quarterly certification |
*Actual clearance calculations must account for:
- 1.0m safety margin (MSA Requirement 2024-001)
- Vessel squat: 0.5m for speeds >8kn
- Real-time tidal adjustments via Yangtze AIS Height Warning System
- Masthead equipment protrusions
4. Night Navigation Protocol
- General Restrictions:
- Vessels >10,000 DWT require MSA pre-approval (submit 48h prior via Form NY-2024)
- Minimum lighting configuration:
- 2 masthead lights (1.5m vertical separation)
- 2 sidelights (visible at 3nm)
- 1 stern light (visible at 2nm)
- Speed limits:
- 10kn within Chizhou port area (5nm radius)
- 12kn in main river channels
- 6kn when passing working barges
- Chizhou Port Specifics:
- Prohibited operations:
- Hazardous cargo (IMO Class 1-3) 2200-0600
- Vessels >60,000DWT with LOA >220m
- Tug requirements:
- 2 tugs for vessels 50,000-80,000DWT
- 3 tugs for vessels >80,000DWT
- Minimum bollard pull: 60t per tug
- Fee Structure:
- Basic surcharge: 30% of daytime rate
- Additional 15% premium for 0000-0500 operations
- Exemptions available for:
- Regular liner services (>12 calls/year)
- Emergency medical evacuations
- Government vessels
5. Complete Pilotage Fee Schedule
| Service |
Baoshan-Chizhou |
Anqing-Chizhou |
Calculation Basis |
| Base Pilotage |
0.42 USD/GT |
0.18 USD/GT |
Min 4,200 USD |
| VTS Surcharge |
500 USD |
200 USD |
Per transit |
| Tide Delay |
150 USD/hr |
80 USD/hr |
After 2h grace |
| Cancelation Fee |
50% of fee |
30% of fee |
If <12h notice |
| Hazardous Cargo |
+25% |
+15% |
IMO Class 1-9 |
| Ice Navigation |
+40% |
+20% |
Dec-Feb only |
Cost Optimization Strategies:
- Yangtze Green Passage: 5-15% discount for:
- Vessels with EEDI ≤ Phase 2 requirements
- LNG-fueled vessels
- Vessels with BWTS installed
- Volume Discounts: 8% reduction for >12 annual calls
- Alternative Routing: Anqing transfer saves ~60% for vessels <18m air draft
- Bunker Planning: Chizhou fuel prices typically 5-8% below Shanghai
6. Chizhou Port Operational Requirements
- Safety Measures:
- Gangway nets: 1.5m vertical extension with 10cm mesh
- Ballast water reporting:
- Submit via MSA e-system 24h pre-arrival
- Include salinity levels and temperature
- Tug requirements:
- 1 tug per 75m LOA (minimum 2)
- Bollard pull ≥40t for vessels <50,000DWT
- Environmental Compliance:
- Fuel sulfur content: ≤0.5% within 5nm of port
- NOx emissions: Tier III standard for vessels >400GT
- Prohibited materials:
- Open-loop scrubber discharge
- Plastic waste incineration
- New 2024 Requirements:
- Mandatory electronic waste manifests
- Continuous emissions monitoring for vessels >5,000GT
- Drone operations require CZPA permit (apply 7 days prior)
7. Technical Standards Verification
| Component |
Standard |
Verification Body |
Frequency |
| Pilot Ladders |
ISO 799:2019 |
ClassNK/CCS |
6 months |
| Bridge Clearances |
IALA Recommendation R0108 |
Yangtze Hydrographic Office |
Annual |
| VTS Systems |
IEC 62388 Ed.2 |
MSA Technical Department |
Quarterly |
| Emission Controls |
MEPC.346(78) |
China Classification Society |
Continuous |
8. Critical Navigation Warnings
- Current Hazards:
- KM 420-460: 4kn currents during flood season (June-August)
- KM 155-160: Sand waves affecting depth (monitor daily bulletins)
- AIS Requirements:
- Static draft must update hourly
- Air draft displayed in YD01 field (Yangtze Special Code)
- Mandatory ETA transmission at KM 500, 300, 100
- Port Operations:
- Night productivity reduction: 30% 2200-0600
- Maximum berthing time: 72h without extension approval
- Storm warning threshold: Winds >7 Beaufort
9. Emergency Protocols
- Primary Contacts:
- Chizhou VTS: +86 566 12395 (VHF Ch 08/16)
- Yangtze Emergency: +86 21 12395 (24h English)
- Pilot Dispatch: pilot@changjiangmsa.gov.cn (response <2h)
- Emergency Signals:
- Man overboard: 3 long blasts + VHF Ch 16 “Securité”
- Pilot transfer emergency: Red flare + PAN-PAN call
- Medical Facilities:
- Chizhou Port Clinic: 24/7 basic care
- Hyperbaric chamber available at Anqing (KM 242)
