Port Anchorages Conditions of Xiamen Port

Anchorage Name	Location (Coordinates)	Area (km²)	Depth (m)	Bottom Type	Max Vessel DWT	Capacity	Primary Use	Restrictions & Safety Notes	Commercial Notes
No.1 Anchorage (Outer Anchorage)	24°23’30″N, 118°04’00″E	3.2	18-25	Mud/Sand	300,000	10 vessels	VLCCs, bulk carriers awaiting berths	Exposed to SE monsoon winds (June-September) Closed when Typhoon Signal No. 8 issued (MSA Notice 2023/06) Minimum 500m spacing between vessels required	Priority for vessels >200,000 DWT Fee: CNY 0.30/GT/day (2023 tariff) Pre-booking via Xiamen VTS (VHF CH 08)
No.2 Anchorage (Inner Anchorage)	24°26’00″N, 118°06’30″E	2.5	12-18	Clay/Mud	150,000	15 vessels	Container ships, general cargo	Strong tidal currents (max 3.2 knots during spring tides) Night anchoring requires VTS approval (VHF CH 12) Prohibited for vessels carrying Class 1 explosives	Overtime charges after 72 hours: +20% Standard fee: CNY 0.25/GT/day Discounted rate for regular liners (apply via Port Authority)
Dangerous Cargo Anchorage	24°25’12″N, 118°08’45″E	1.8	15-20	Sandy Clay	100,000	5 vessels	Oil/chemical tankers (IMO Class A/B)	Strict no-open-flame policy (24-hour patrols) Mandatory AIS monitoring and SOPEP equipment onboard 500m exclusion zone from other vessels	Pre-approval via Xiamen MSA Form DC-11 (72 hours advance) Fee: CNY 0.40/GT/day + 60% surcharge Additional spill liability insurance required (min USD 50M coverage)
Quarantine Anchorage	24°27’00″N, 118°05’15″E	1.2	10-14	Mud	50,000	8 vessels	Health inspections, crew changes	No cargo operations permitted Medical waste disposal facilities available (24/7) Mandatory radio health declaration before arrival	Free for first 24 hours Thereafter: CNY 0.20/GT/day Penalty for false health declarations: CNY 100,000+
Emergency Anchorage	24°24’18″N, 118°09’30″E	0.8	8-12	Rock/Sand	20,000	3 vessels	Distress, machinery repairs	Maximum 72-hour stay (extensions require MSA approval) Immediate VHF CH 16 alert required No hazardous materials allowed	Fee waiver with MSA emergency certification Tug assistance mandatory for disabled vessels After-hours surcharge: CNY 5,000/hour
No.3 Anchorage (Dongdu Anchorage)	24°28’45″N, 118°07’30″E	1.5	10-15	Mud/Shell	80,000	6 vessels	Coastal vessels, feeders	Restricted to vessels <150m LOA Avoid during spring tides (currents >2.5 knots) Daylight operations preferred	Discounted rate: CNY 0.15/GT/day for vessels <10,000 GT Local fishing zones nearby – navigate with caution
No.4 Anchorage (Gulangyu Temporary Holding Area)	24°26’50″N, 118°03’40″E	0.6	7-10	Sand/Shell	15,000	4 vessels	Tourist vessels, small craft	Max stay 12 hours No anchoring after 2200 hours (noise restrictions) Prohibited for cargo operations	Flat fee: CNY 2,000 per call Pre-payment required via Port Authority app

Operational & Safety Addenda:

Regulatory Authority:
- Xiamen MSA enforces compliance under China Maritime Traffic Safety Law (2021) and Port Law of China (2018 Amendment).
- Anchorage violations may incur fines up to CNY 200,000 (MSA Notice 2023/12).
Navigation Requirements:
- Pilotage compulsory for vessels >10,000 GT (Xiamen VTS VHF CH 08/12).
- Mandatory ECDIS updates for anchorage approaches (Admiralty Notice Week 48/2023).
Environmental Compliance:
- Zero discharge policy (MARPOL Annex V) – fines up to CNY 500,000 for violations.
- Oil tankers must pre-deploy boom if >10,000 DWT.
Typhoon Protocols:
- Evacuation when Signal No. 8 issued (refer to MSA Notice 2023/06).
- Designated typhoon anchorages available at 24°30’00″N, 118°12’00″E (depth 30m).
Prohibited Zones:
- 1nm radius around Haicang Bridge (24°29’12″N, 118°04’45″E).
- 0.5nm from submarine cables (Chart CN50121, updated 2023-12).
- Military restricted area at 24°22’00″N, 118°10’00″E (NO ENTRY).
Fee Structure (2024):
- Standard: CNY 0.25/GT/day (MSA Notice 2023/15).
- Dangerous cargo: +60% surcharge.
- Overtime: +20% after 72 hours, +50% after 7 days.