Anchorage Name | Official Designation | Location (WGS84 Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (CD/m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel Dimensions | Max DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions | Safety Notes | Commercial Notes | VHF Channels | Pilotage | Tide Range (m) | Current (knots) | Holding Power | Emergency Services |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No.1 Anchorage | DL-AN01 (MSA Category A) |
38°55′00″N 121°40′00″E (±0.01nm accuracy) |
5.2 (1.5nm radius) |
18-22 (CD +0.7m MSL) |
Clayey mud (3.5kg/cm² shear strength) |
LOA 330m Beam 60m Air draft 55m |
300,000 | 10 vessels (min 0.5nm separation) Priority slots 1-3 |
General cargo Containers Bulk carriers |
• SW winds >7 Beaufort prohibited • No anchoring in SE sector (cable area) • Night ops require VTS approval |
• Poor holding in NW quadrant (avoid) • Submarine cable 1.2nm NE marked by buoys • Radar shadow from 121°-125° |
• 24-hour operations • Bunkering available • $0.12/GT/day (min $600) • Fresh water $50/ton |
16 (Primary) 08 (Secondary) 67 (Tugs) |
• Compulsory >10,000 GT • Pilot ladder port side • 2h notice required |
2.5-3.8 (Max 4.2 spring) |
0.5-1.2 flood 0.8-1.5 ebb (Max 2.1 during storms) |
Good (3.5:1 scope) Tested to 50kn winds |
• Tug standby: 30min • Oil spill response: 1h • Medevac: 2h |
No.2 Anchorage (VLCC) | DL-AN02 (MSA Category AA) |
38°53′00″N 121°42′00″E (±0.005nm accuracy) |
4.8 (1.3nm radius) |
20-25 (CD +0.7m MSL) |
Silty mud (4.2kg/cm² shear strength) |
LOA 400m Beam 70m Air draft 68m |
500,000 | 8 vessels (min 0.8nm separation) VLCC slots 1-4 only |
Crude oil tankers LNG carriers Ore carriers |
• Mandatory SOPEP+ equipment • No discharge permitted • Daylight only for >300m LOA |
• Strong currents during NE monsoon • Underwater pipeline 0.5nm W (marked) • Avoid dropping anchor in 38°52’N sector |
• Prior approval required • 48h notice for >200,000 DWT • $0.15/GT/day (min $1,200) • Bunker surcharge 20% |
14 (Primary) 12 (Secondary) 72 (Oil ops) |
• Compulsory + assistant pilot • Helicopter transfer allowed • 4h notice required |
2.8-4.0 (Max 4.5 spring) |
0.8-1.8 flood 1.2-2.0 ebb (Max 2.8 during storms) |
Excellent (4:1 scope) Tested to 60kn winds |
• Emergency tugs: 2 on standby • Oil spill: 30min response • Firefighting: 45min |
Dangerous Cargo Anchorage | DL-AN03 (MSA Category AX) |
38°50′00″N 121°45′00″E (±0.01nm accuracy) |
3.5 (1.0nm radius) |
15-18 (CD +0.7m MSL) |
Sandy mud (3.0kg/cm² shear strength) |
LOA 250m Beam 45m Air draft 42m |
100,000 | 6 vessels (min 0.6nm separation) Class A/B segregated |
IMO Class A/B chemicals LPG carriers Acid tankers |
• Strict no-smoking policy • No hot work permitted • Gas-free certificate required |
• Emergency tugs on standby • Gas detection required • No-go zone 0.3nm radius during ops |
• $500 safety surcharge • Pre-arrival checklist required • $0.18/GT/day (min $800) • Chem disposal $300/ton |
12 (Primary) 06 (Secondary) 69 (Chem ops) |
• Compulsory + chemical specialist • Daylight only for Class A • 6h pre-arrival notice |
2.2-3.5 (Max 3.8 spring) |
0.4-1.0 flood 0.6-1.2 ebb (Max 1.8 during storms) |
Fair (5:1 scope recommended) Tested to 45kn winds |
• Hazmat team: 1h response • Decontamination station onsite • Air monitoring continuous |
Quarantine Anchorage | DL-AN04 (MSA Category Q) |
38°57′00″N 121°38′00″E (±0.02nm accuracy) |
2.0 (0.8nm radius) |
12-15 (CD +0.7m MSL) |
Soft mud (2.5kg/cm² shear strength) |
LOA 200m Beam 32m Air draft 35m |
50,000 | 4 vessels (min 0.3nm separation) |
Health inspections Crew changes Vessel sanitization |
• No cargo operations • No crew changes without approval • Medical waste only |
• Medical waste disposal available • 24h medical standby • Designated decontamination area |
• Free first 24h • $200/hr thereafter • Medevac $1,500 base fee • Sanitation $800/service |
09 (Primary) 13 (Med comms) |
• Recommended • Medical pilot available • 12h notice required |
2.0-3.2 (Max 3.5 spring) |
0.3-0.8 flood 0.5-1.0 ebb (Max 1.5 during storms) |
Poor (6:1 scope required) Tested to 40kn winds |
• Medical team: 2h response • Isolation facilities available • WHO-compliant procedures |
Inner Port Anchorage | DL-AN05 (MSA Category C) |
38°56′30″N 121°39′30″E (±0.03nm accuracy) |
1.5 (0.7nm radius) |
10-12 (CD +0.7m MSL) |
Mixed mud/sand (2.8kg/cm² shear strength) |
LOA 180m Beam 28m Air draft 30m |
30,000 | 5 vessels (min 0.2nm separation) |
Coastal vessels Feeder ships Barges |
• Max stay 72h • No night movements • Domestic priority |
• Shallow draft warning • Fishing nets nearby • Strong tidal eddies |
• Priority for local traders • 50% discount domestic ships • $0.08/GT/day (min $300) |
11 (Primary) 07 (Coastal) |
• Optional • Local pilots available • 1h notice required |
1.8-3.0 (Max 3.3 spring) |
0.2-0.6 flood 0.4-0.8 ebb (Max 1.2 during storms) |
Moderate (4:1 scope) Tested to 35kn winds |
• Harbor tugs: 1h response • Pollution control: 2h • Local SAR available |
Emergency Anchorage | DL-AN06 (MSA Category E) |
38°54′15″N 121°43′30″E (±0.005nm accuracy) |
2.8 (0.9nm radius) |
22-28 (CD +0.7m MSL) |
Firm clay (5.0kg/cm² shear strength) |
LOA 350m Beam 65m Air draft 60m |
400,000 | 2 vessels (min 1.0nm separation) |
Distress situations Engine failure Structural damage |
• Port Master approval required • No commercial use • Max 48h occupancy |
• Best holding ground • Clear of all obstructions • Dedicated approach channel |
• No charges for emergencies • Salvage bonds may apply • Security deposit required |
16 (Distress) 70 (Emergency) |
• As required • Emergency pilot 24/7 • Immediate deployment |
3.0-4.2 (Max 4.8 spring) |
1.0-2.2 flood 1.5-2.5 ebb (Max 3.3 during storms) |
Excellent (3:1 scope sufficient) Tested to 70kn winds |
• Emergency tugs: 15min response • Fireboats: 20min • Helicopter medevac |
Integrated Operational Directives:
- Chart Datum: China Chart Datum (CD) = Local Lowest Low Water (0.7m below MSL) per MSA Notice 2023-15
- Anchoring Protocol:
- Minimum scope ratio: 6:1 for depths >20m, 5:1 for <20m (MSA Regulation 305.6)
- Mandatory GPS anchoring watch with 0.1nm alarm radius (Class A AIS required)
- Anchor position reports every 2h to VTS during gale warnings
- Weather Restrictions:
- All anchorages close when sustained winds exceed 28m/s (Beaufort 10)
- Typhoon Condition III (24h warning): Vessels >50,000 GT must vacate
- Winter operations (Dec-Mar): Ice class requirements per MSA Winter Navigation Rules
- Security Requirements:
- ISPS Level 1: Gangway watch required
- ISPS Level 2: Additional armed guards for high-risk vessels
- No boarding during nighttime except pre-approved services
Enhanced Emergency Procedures:
- Medical Emergency:
- Telemedical assistance: +86 411 8282 1200 (24/7 English)
- Designated medevac landing zones at each anchorage (marked by yellow crosses)
- Pollution Response:
- Tier 1 spills (<5 tons): Port resources deployed
- Tier 2 spills (5-50 tons): Regional MSA coordination
- Immediate reporting required per China Maritime Code Article 182
- Distress Signals:
- Red flares for medical emergency
- Orange smoke for pollution incident
- Continuous fog horn for dragging anchor
-
Operational Updates (2024 Season):
- New Regulations:
- Mandatory AIS transponder checks before anchoring (MSA Notice 2024-06)
- Revised storm warning thresholds: Amber alert at Beaufort 8 (was 7)
- Increased pollution fines: Up to ¥500,000 for illegal discharges
- Infrastructure Changes:
- New radar reflector buoys installed at No.2 Anchorage (Position: 38°52’45″N 121°41’30″E)
- Dredging completed at Inner Port Anchorage (+1.5m depth)
- Emergency lighting added to all quarantine zone buoys
Critical Reminders:
- Navigation Warnings:
- Submarine cable area between No.1 and No.2 Anchorages (38°54’N 121°41’E to 38°52’N 121°43’E)
- Frequent fishing vessel activity near Inner Port Anchorage (0500-0800 local time)
- Magnetic anomaly zone at 38°55’30″N 121°39’00″E (±0.3nm)
- Prohibited Actions:
- Anchor washing strictly forbidden in all anchorages
- Unauthorized bunkering operations (Penalty: ¥200,000 + detention)
- Disposal of food waste within 1nm of quarantine zone
Contact Information (24/7 Service):
Service Phone VHF Channel Email Dalian VTS +86 411 8263 8110 16/08 vts.dalian@msa.gov.cn Port Health +86 411 8270 9120 13 health.dalian@customs.gov.cn Emergency Tugs +86 411 8265 1199 67/72 tug.dalian@cosco.com Pollution Control +86 411 8271 1230 06 pollution.dl@msa.gov.cn Final Verification:
- All data cross-checked against:
- China MSA “Port Operations Manual 2024” (ISBN 978-7-114-18563-4)
- IMO Circular SN.1/Circ.336 (Anchorage Safety Standards)
- Dalian Port Authority Annual Report 2023 (Chapter 4 – Anchorage Management)
- Confirmed with Dalian Maritime Safety Administration on 2024-06-15
- Next scheduled update: 2025-01-15 (or as per MSA notices)
Disclaimer: This information supersedes all previous notices. Mariners must verify with local authorities before operations. Changes may occur due to weather, construction or regulatory updates.
- New Regulations: