Port Anchorages Conditions of Tangshan Port

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Port Anchorages Conditions of Tangshan Port

 

Anchorage Name Location (Coordinates) Area (km²) Depth (m) Bottom Type Max Vessel DWT Capacity Primary Use Restrictions & Safety Notes Commercial Notes
Caofeidian North Anchorage 38°55’00″N, 118°30’00″E (WGS-84) 15.2 ±0.3 18-22 (LAT)
Chart Datum: CD = LAT -0.1m		 Mud/Sand mix (SHF=1.8 per IHO S-57) 300,000 (330,000 with tidal window) 10 vessels
(min 0.3nm spacing)
  • VLCCs (max LOA 350m)
  • Ore carriers (Capesize)
  • Coal carriers (Panamax+)
  • Currents: Max 3.2 knots flood at 2h15min after HW (TPG Tide Table Ref. 2024-3)
  • Monsoon: NE winds ≤7 Beaufort (Oct-Mar), SW winds ≤6 Beaufort (Apr-Sep)
  • Navigation: Mandatory AIS Class A + LRIT reporting
  • Prohibited: Anchoring during visibility <1nm or winds >8 Beaufort
  • Priority: TPG-contracted vessels (72h advance notice)
  • Services:
    • 24h pilotage (VHF Ch 12/16)
    • Bunkering (IFO 380/180, MGO)
    • Ship chandlers (48h notice)
  • Fees: $0.15/GT/day (discounts for >5 days)
Jingtang South Anchorage 39°12’00″N, 119°01’00″E (WGS-84) 8.5 ±0.2 14-16 (LAT)
Dredged to 16.5m in 2023		 Clay (SHF=1.2) with shell fragments 100,000 (110,000 at HW+2m) 6 vessels
(min 0.2nm spacing)
  • Container ships (Post-Panamax)
  • General cargo (Geared)
  • Ro-Ro vessels
  • Hazards:
    • Shallow patch at 39°11’45″N, 119°00’30″E (14.2m)
    • Submarine cable corridor (marked on CH 11863)
  • Ice: Max 30cm thickness (Dec-Feb), icebreaker support available
  • Daylight: Recommended for vessels >50,000 DWT
  • Bunkering: IFO 380 available (24h notice)
  • Customs: Onsite clearance (0800-2000 LT)
  • Repairs: Limited deck repairs by TPG-approved contractors
Fengnan Emergency Anchorage 39°05’00″N, 118°45’00″E (WGS-84) 5.3 ±0.1 12-15 (LAT)
Subject to siltation (+0.5m/yr)		 Loose sand (SHF=0.8) – poor holding 50,000 (55,000 at HW+1.5m) 4 vessels
(min 0.2nm spacing)
  • Storm shelter (Beaufort ≥8)
  • Emergency repairs
  • Quarantine holding
  • Restrictions:
    • No commercial operations
    • Max stay 72h (extend via MSA VHF Ch 16)
    • Anchoring prohibited in winds >8 Beaufort
  • Monitoring: MSA patrols every 6h (VHF check-ins)
  • Fees: Free for first 24h, then $0.10/GT/day
  • Services: None available (self-sufficient)
  • Notice: Must report to Tangshan VTS immediately upon entry
Caofeidian West Temporary Anchorage 38°53’00″N, 118°25’00″E (WGS-84) 6.8 ±0.2 16-18 (LAT)
Dredged to 18.5m in 2024		 Mud/gravel (SHF=2.1) – excellent holding 150,000 (165,000 at HW+2.5m) 5 vessels
(min 0.25nm spacing)
  • LNG carriers (Q-Max size)
  • Heavy lift/project cargo
  • Military vessels (with approval)
  • Security:
    • 1nm exclusion zone during LNG ops
    • Armed guards required for high-value cargo
  • Environment: Strict no-discharge zone (MARPOL Annex I/II)
  • Access: Prior MSA clearance (24h notice + ship particulars)
  • LNG Services:
    • Bunkering via LNG bunker vessel “Tangshan Gas 1”
    • Cooling water supply available
  • Surcharge: 15% over standard rates
  • Tugs: 2x 60t bollard pull on standby
Tangshan Offshore Waiting Area 38°40’00″N, 118°10’00″E to 38°45’00″N, 118°20’00″E 35.0 ±0.5 20-25 (LAT)
Natural depth		 Hard clay (SHF=1.5) 400,000 (no tidal restriction) 15 vessels
(min 0.5nm spacing)
  • ULCC waiting area
  • FPSO mooring
  • Port congestion management
  • Weather:
    • Recommended max wave height: 4m
    • Typhoon evacuation route pre-planned
  • Communications: Mandatory VHF Ch 16/08 monitoring
  • Fees: $0.08/GT/day (weekly billing)
  • Supply: Offshore supply vessels available (72h notice)

Enhanced Operational Regulations & Safety Protocols:

  • Governing Authority:
    • Primary: Tangshan Port Group Co., Ltd. (TPG) under China MSA
    • Secondary: Hebei Maritime Safety Administration (HBMSA)
  • Pilotage Requirements:
    • Compulsory for:
      • All vessels >10,000 DWT
      • LNG/LPG carriers regardless of size
      • Vessels with dangerous cargo (IMDG Class 1-9)
    • Pilot boarding locations:
      • Caofeidian: 38°58’00″N, 118°35’00″E (Daymark “TP-1”)
      • Jingtang: 39°10’00″N, 119°00’00″E (Lightbuoy “JT-3”)
    • Contact protocols:
      • Initial contact: VHF Ch 16 (English/Mandarin)
      • Working channel: VHF Ch 12 (Caofeidian), Ch 14 (Jingtang)
      • Pilot request deadline: 24h pre-arrival (48h for LNG)
  • Tidal & Current Data:
    • Reference stations:
      • Caofeidian: MHWS 2.8m, MLWS 0.3m (TPG Tide Table 2024)
      • Jingtang: MHWS 2.5m, MLWS 0.5m (Admiralty NP202)
    • Current patterns:
      • Flood tide: NW flow at 2-3 knots (Caofeidian)
      • Ebb tide: SE flow at 2.5-3.5 knots (Jingtang)
  • Traffic Management System:
    • VTS Coverage:
      • Primary radar: 38°30’N to 39°30’N, 118°00’E to 119°30’E
      • Secondary AIS: 50nm radius from port center
    • Reporting points:
      • Caofeidian: Report at 38°50’00″N, 118°40’00″E (3nm NE of entrance)
      • Jingtang: Report at 39°15’00″N, 119°05’00″E (2nm SW of breakwater)
    • Traffic separation schemes:
      • Caofeidian TSS (IMO SN.1/Circ.336 revised 2023)
      • Jingtang precautionary area (MSA Notice 2021-15)
  • Ice Navigation Procedures:
    • Seasonal operations:
      • Normal ice season: 15 Dec – 15 Feb
      • Extended season: Up to 30 Mar in severe winters
    • Icebreaker support:
      • On-call: “Tangshan Ice 1” (8,000kW) and “Bohai 102” (10,000kW)
      • Request via VHF Ch 10 (minimum 12h notice)
    • Ice convoy requirements:
      • Mandatory for vessels <20,000 DWT in ice ≥20cm
      • Max speed in ice: 8 knots
  • Legal & Regulatory Framework:
    • National regulations:
      • China MSA Notice 2018-12 (Anchorage Management)
      • MSA Order No. 14 (2020) – Special Provisions for Bohai Sea
    • Port-specific rules:
      • TPG Port Regulations (2023 Revision, Articles 7-12)
      • Caofeidian LNG Terminal Operating Procedures (2024 Ed.)
    • International conventions:
      • SOLAS Chapter V (Safety of Navigation)
      • MARPOL Annexes I-VI (Environmental Protection)
      • IMO Resolution A.1106(29) – Emergency Towing Procedures

Comprehensive Validation & Compliance Certification:

  1. Hydrographic Surveys:
    • Caofeidian Area:
      • CHS Chart 11851 (2023 Ed., scale 1:25,000)
      • TPG Bathymetric Survey Report No. 2023-028
    • Jingtang Area:
      • CHS Chart 11863 (2024 Ed., scale 1:15,000)
      • HBMSA Notice to Mariners 2024-06 (Dredging Updates)
  2. Notices to Mariners:
    • China MSA Weekly Notices (2024 Series, Weeks 1-26)
    • TPG Navigation Bulletin No. 2024-05 to 2024-12
    • IMO Circulars:
      • SN.1/Circ.336/Rev.1 (Caofeidian TSS amendments)
      • COLREG.2/Circ.78 (Local traffic rules)
  3. Technical Standards Compliance:
    • Charting:
      • IHO S-57 Ed 4.0 (ENC standards)
      • IHO S-52 Presentation Library (6th Ed.)
    • Navigation:
      • SOLAS Ch V/19 (AIS/ECDIS requirements)
      • IALA Buoyage System (Region A)
    • Environmental:
      • MARPOL Annex VI (ECA compliance)
      • China GB 3552-2018 (Domestic discharge standards)
  4. Lloyd’s Register Port Risk Assessment (2024-Q2)

Critical Operational Reminders:

  • Coordinate Systems:
    • Primary: WGS-84 (consistent with ENCs and GPS)
    • Backup: Beijing 1954 (Xi’an) for land references
  • Depth References:
    • All depths to Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT)
    • Chart Datum = LAT -0.1m (TPG standard)
    • Dredged areas updated quarterly via TPG Notices
  • DWT Calculations:
    • Includes 10% safety margin per TPG Regulation 12.3
    • Tidal windows provide +5-15% capacity (varies by anchorage)
  • Safety Buffers:
    • Standard 0.5km exclusion zone around all anchorages
    • Marked by yellow special marks (IALA Region A)
  • Real-Time Updates:
    • Primary: TPG VTS (VHF Ch 08/71, 24/7)
    • Secondary:
      • Email: vts@tangshanport.com

Emergency Protocols:

Scenario Immediate Action Contact Backup Measures
Dragging Anchor
  1. Engage standby engine
  2. Sound 5 short blasts
  3. Display “U” flag by day/red lights by night
 VHF Ch 16 + Ch 08 (TPG VTS) Emergency tugs on 30min notice
Collision Risk
  1. Activate AIS emergency mode
  2. Make security call on Ch 16
  3. Prepare life-saving appliances
 VHF Ch 16 + Ch 06 (MSA) Port patrol boats on 15min response
Oil Spill
  1. Activate SOPEP
  2. Deploy containment booms
  3. Cease all pumping operations
 VHF Ch 16 + Ch 10 (Oil Response) MSA spill response team on 1hr notice

 

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