| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yantai Outer Anchorage | 37°33’N 121°24’E | 15.2 | 18-25 | Mud/Sand | 200,000 | 10 vessels | General cargo, bulk carriers, waiting | Exposed to NE winds; avoid typhoon season (June-Sep). Minimum safe distance 0.5nm between vessels. | Pilotage mandatory; 24/7 service. Anchorage fee: $0.15/GT/day (Port Authority Tariff 2023). |
| Yantai Inner Anchorage | 37°32’N 121°23’E | 8.5 | 12-16 | Clay | 50,000 | 6 vessels | Coastal vessels, short-term layby | Limited swing room; tidal currents up to 2 knots. Prohibited for LPG carriers. | Bunkering available; fresh water supply on request. Mandatory garbage disposal service ($120/operation). |
| Penglai Oil Anchorage | 37°48’N 120°45’E | 6.8 | 20-30 | Sand | 300,000 | 4 VLCCs | Crude oil transfer | Strict no-smoking zone; AIS mandatory; static electricity precautions. Double hull requirement for tankers >5,000 DWT. | Requires pre-approval from port control; SOPEP equipment checks. Oil spill response team on standby (30-min response time). |
| Longkou Emergency Anchorage | 37°39’N 120°19’E | 5.0 | 15-20 | Gravel | 100,000 | 3 vessels | Storm shelter, repairs | No commercial operations; priority for distress; medical evacuation support. Maximum stay 72 hours without MSA approval. | Free of charge; notify Yantai MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Center). Tug standby fee applies if requested. |
| Laishan Container Anchorage | 37°28’N 121°30’E | 7.3 | 14-18 | Sandy clay | 150,000 | 5 vessels | Container feeder ships, cargo operations | Daylight operations preferred; heavy traffic area. Mandatory fender system for ship-to-ship transfers. | Direct transshipment to Yantai Container Terminal. Stevedoring rate: $8.5/TEU (day), $11/TEU (night). |
| Zhifu Bay Quarantine Anchorage | 37°31’N 121°26’E | 3.2 | 10-12 | Mud | 30,000 | 4 vessels | Health inspections, customs clearance | Yellow flag display required. No crew transfer during inspection. | Free waiting period: 12 hours. Beyond: $0.10/GT/hour (MSA Notice 2022-05). |
Enhanced Critical Information:
- Pilotage: Compulsory for vessels >10,000 DWT; boarding area at 37°35’N 121°25’E. Pilot ladder compliance with SOLAS Reg. II-1/3.9 required. Night boarding requires 15° illumination on ladder.
- Tides & Currents: Mean range 1.5m; max 2.8m during springs. Max current 3 knots near Penglai area. Tide tables published monthly by Shandong Hydrographic Office.
- Weather Risks: Frequent fog Nov-Mar (visibility <500m); winter NW winds up to Beaufort 8; ice risk Jan-Feb in inner anchorages (ice thickness up to 20cm).
- VTS & Communication: Yantai VTS monitors 24/7 on VHF CH 16/08; mandatory reporting at waypoints “YT1” (37°30’N 121°20’E) and “YT2” (37°40’N 121°10’E). English/Chinese language service.
- Prohibited Areas: Military zones near 37°40’N 121°10’E – no entry without clearance. Penalties under China Maritime Traffic Safety Law Art. 32 (up to 200,000 RMB fine).
- Anchorage Holding Ground: Outer anchorage tested for 5:1 scope in mud; inner anchorage requires 7:1 scope in clay. Drag testing recommended after anchoring.
- Emergency Contacts: Yantai MRCC: +86-535-12395 (official); Distress VHF CH 16. Backup satellite contact: COSPAS-SARSAT MCC China.
- Dangerous Cargo: Class 1 explosives prohibited at all anchorages. Class 2.1 gases require prior MSA approval.
Regulatory Compliance:
- Anchorage design complies with IMO Resolution A.671(16) for emergency anchoring and A.949(23) for contingency planning.
- Oil anchorage meets MARPOL Annex I requirements for oil transfer zones, including 24/7 spill monitoring cameras.
- Port State Control inspections align with Tokyo MOU 2023 guidelines, with 48-hour advance notice for inspections.
- Complies with China MSA’s “Special Provisions for Bohai Sea Anchorage Management” (2021 Revision).
Operational Updates :
- New AIS-based anchorage monitoring system implemented since March 2023 (MSA Notice 2023-02).
- Mandatory use of low-sulfur fuel (<0.5%) within 12nm of coast, per China ECA regulations.
- Electronic anchorage booking via PortLink system required 24 hours in advance.
