Piloting and Pilotage Precedure of Nanjing Port and Changjiang River

1. Pilotage Jurisdiction and Zones

• Compulsory pilotage area: From Yangtze River mouth (121°E) to Nanjing Port (118°44’E)
• Three pilot districts with handover points:
  • Lower Reach (Sea Pilot District):
    • From river mouth to Jiangyin (121°E-120°15’E)
    • Pilot change at Jiangyin Transfer Point (31°55’N 120°15’E)
    • Max vessel draft: 12.5m (controlled by tide)
  • Middle Reach (River Pilot District):
    • Jiangyin to Nanjing Bridge (120°15’E-118°44’E)
    • Dedicated river pilots with local expertise
    • Max daytime speed: 12 knots
  • Nanjing Port District:
    • From Nanjing Bridge to all port terminals
    • Specialized port pilots for berthing operations
    • 24/7 availability with prior notice

2. Pilot Boarding Procedures

• Primary Boarding Stations:
  • Outer Boarding Station:
    • Position: 31°25’N 121°58’E (No.12 Buoy)
    • Minimum depth: 12m CD
    • Current limits: Max 3 knots for transfer
    • Pilot ladder requirements:
      • 1.5m above water at boarding
      • Combination ladder for >9m freeboard
  • Jiangyin Transfer Point:
    • Position: 31°55’N 120°15’E
    • Protected transfer area
    • Mandatory VHF Ch.06 contact 1hr prior
• Alternative Boarding Locations:
  • Liuhekou Anchorage (32°10’N 119°30’E):
    • Used during NE monsoon (Oct-Mar)
    • Max wave height: 1.5m for transfer
  • Zhenjiang Anchorage (32°12’N 119°25’E):
    • Emergency boarding only
    • Requires MSA approval

3. Air Draft Restrictions

• Bridge Clearances (all heights at MHWS + safety margin):
  • Sutong Bridge (River km 120):
    • Main span: 62m
    • Side channels: 38m
  • Jiangyin Bridge (River km 160):
    • Navigational clearance: 50m
    • Tidal variation: ±0.5m
  • Runyang Bridge (River km 265):
    • Northern span: 48m
    • Southern span: 18m (non-navigational)
  • Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge (River km 350):
    • Fixed clearance: 24m
    • Passage slots: 2hr windows coordinated with VTS
• Overhead Cable Crossings:
  • Yangzhong Crossing (River km 195): 42m
  • Zhenjiang Crossing (River km 275): 40m
  • Nanjing Powerline Crossing (River km 345): 38m
  • Minimum required clearance: 2m above MHWS

4. Navigation Requirements

• Daylight Transit Rules:
  • Mandatory for:
    • Vessels >230m LOA
    • Air draft >40m
    • First-time Yangtze navigators
    • Vessels carrying Class A dangerous goods
  • Operating window:
    • Summer (Apr-Sep): 0500-1900 local
    • Winter (Oct-Mar): 0600-1800 local
• Night Navigation Provisions:
  • Permitted for:
    • Vessels <230m with >3 previous Yangtze transits
    • Air draft <35m
    • Approved by MSA 24hrs prior
  • Special requirements:
    • Enhanced lighting:
      • Deck lights every 20m
      • 500W searchlight minimum
    • Additional lookout posted
    • Speed limit: 10 knots
  • Surcharge: 30% on base pilotage fee

5. Pilotage Fee Structure

• Standard Charges:
  • Yangtze River mouth to Nanjing:
    • Basic fee: ¥0.15/GT (min ¥5,000, max ¥50,000)
    • Distance surcharge: ¥0.02/GT/nm beyond 100nm
    • Dangerous cargo surcharge: +20%
  • Port area movements:
    • Berthing/unberthing: ¥0.08/GT (min ¥3,000)
    • Shifting between terminals: ¥0.05/GT
• Additional Fees:
  • Night service: +30% (2200-0600)
  • Holiday service: +50% (official Chinese holidays)
  • Pilot waiting time: ¥500/hour after first hour
  • Cancellation charges:
    • >12hr notice: 20% of fee
    • <12hr notice: 50% of fee
    • <4hr notice: 100% of fee

6. Cost Optimization Strategies

• Operational planning:
  • Schedule arrivals for daylight hours (avoid 30% night surcharge)
  • Combine multiple port movements into single pilot assignment
  • Maintain speed <12kn to reduce pilot time charges
• Administrative measures:
  • Pre-book pilots 48hrs in advance (10% early booking discount)
  • Register for frequent caller program (5+ annual calls = 8% discount)
  • Use electronic payment (2% reduction)
• Technical adjustments:
  • Optimize air draft below 35m to avoid bridge restrictions
  • Schedule transits for neap tides to maximize underkeel clearance
  • Pre-calculate exact bunker needs to minimize Jiangyin transfers

7. Safety & Compliance

• Mandatory Equipment:
  • Navigation:
    • Updated Yangtze River ENCs (latest edition)
    • Fully operational AIS (MMSI registered with MSA)
    • Dual VHF radios (Ch.06/08/16 continuously monitored)
  • Pilot transfer:
    • SOLAS-compliant pilot ladder
    • Lifebuoy with self-igniting light
    • Heaving line readily available
• Tide Calculation:
  • Nanjing Datum: 2.5m above CD
  • Real-time updates:
    • Nanjing VTS (Ch.08) hourly broadcasts
    • MSA mobile app with 6hr predictions
  • Minimum underkeel clearance:
    • Lower reach: 10% of draft
    • Upper reach: 15% of draft

8. Critical Notes

• All heights referenced to Nanjing Datum (2.5m above Chart Datum)
• MHWS variation along river:
  • River mouth: 3.2m
  • Jiangyin: 2.8m
  • Nanjing: 2.5m
• Non-compliance penalties:
  • First offense: ¥5,000-20,000 fine
  • Repeat offenses: Possible detention
• Emergency contacts:
  • Nanjing VTS: +86 25 5880 3110 (Ch.08/16)
  • MSA Hotline: +86 25 5880 2999