1. Gaolan Port Area Anchorages
| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaolan Outer Anchorage | 21°54’30″N 113°36’00″E | 15.2 | 15-22 | Mud/Sand | 300,000 | 10 vessels | VLCC/LNG carriers | Tidal currents up to 3 knots; Prohibited during typhoon signal No.8+; Minimum 500m spacing between vessels | Bunkering available; Requires 24h pre-notice for vessels >200,000 DWT; Maximum stay 7 days |
| Gaolan Inner Anchorage | 21°56’00″N 113°33’30″E | 8.5 | 12-18 | Clay | 100,000 | 15 vessels | General cargo | Protected from NE winds; Mandatory AIS transmission; No anchoring in southern sector (pipeline area) | 24-hour operations; Fresh water supply available; Ship chandlers on call |
| Gaolan Emergency Anchorage | 21°55’15″N 113°34’45″E | 3.2 | 20-25 | Hard Sand | 150,000 | 2 vessels | Distress/repair | Priority for vessels in distress; Max 72h stay; Must contact Port Control immediately | No commercial operations allowed; Medical evacuation services available |
| Gaolan LNG Special Anchorage | 21°53’45″N 113°35’15″E | 5.8 | 18-25 | Firm Clay | 250,000 | 3 vessels | LNG carriers only | Exclusion zone 1nm radius; No other vessels permitted; Special firefighting standby required | Dedicated LNG bunkering; Requires pre-approval from Zhuhai MSA |
2. Jiuzhou Port Area Anchorages
| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jiuzhou No.1 Anchorage | 22°13’45″N 113°42’30″E | 6.8 | 10-15 | Sandy | 50,000 | 8 vessels | Coastal vessels | Strong SW currents in summer; Daytime use only; No anchoring in western sector | Pilotage mandatory; Customs inspection zone; Provisions available |
| Jiuzhou No.2 Anchorage | 22°15’00″N 113°40’15″E | 4.3 | 8-12 | Mud | 30,000 | 12 vessels | Fishing vessels | No night navigation; Fishing nets nearby; Minimum 300m spacing | Limited services; No bunkering; Local fishing boats have priority |
| Jiuzhou Quarantine Anchorage | 22°14’30″N 113°41’00″E | 2.5 | 12-14 | Clay/Sand | 20,000 | 5 vessels | Health inspection | Medical waste handling protocols apply; No crew changes permitted | Free pratique required before operations; Medical services available |
| Jiuzhou Dangerous Cargo Anchorage | 22°13’15″N 113°39’45″E | 3.6 | 12-16 | Hard Clay | 40,000 | 4 vessels | Class 1 dangerous goods | Special firefighting equipment required; No other vessels within 500m | Limited to IMDG Class 1 only; Special handling required |
3. Wanshan Port Area Anchorages
| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wanshan Deepwater Anchorage | 21°58’15″N 113°48’45″E | 18.6 | 20-30 | Rocky | 400,000 | 5 vessels | ULCC/Drillships | Typhoon shelter; Dynamic positioning recommended; Minimum 800m spacing | Offshore support base; Helicopter pad available; Heavy lift services |
| Wanshan West Anchorage | 21°57’00″N 113°46’30″E | 9.4 | 15-18 | Mixed | 200,000 | 7 vessels | Bulk carriers | Underwater pipelines – no dragging anchors; Special monitoring required | Coal transshipment zone; Grab unloaders available |
| Wanshan East Anchorage | 21°59’30″N 113°50’15″E | 12.3 | 18-22 | Sandy Rock | 250,000 | 6 vessels | Container ships | Exposed to SE winds; Not recommended in monsoon season | Feeder service hub; Container inspection available |
4. Guishan Port Area Anchorages
| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guishan North Anchorage | 22°07’30″N 113°49’15″E | 7.8 | 12-16 | Sandy Mud | 80,000 | 6 vessels | Container ships | Restricted visibility procedures apply; No anchoring in marked zones | Feeder service hub; Barge connections available |
| Guishan South Anchorage | 22°06’15″N 113°48’30″E | 5.2 | 10-14 | Mud | 60,000 | 8 vessels | General cargo | Protected from northerly winds; Daytime operations preferred | Breakbulk handling available; Stevedores on call |
5. Hengqin Port Area Anchorages
| Anchorage Name | Location (Coordinates) | Area (km²) | Depth (m) | Bottom Type | Max Vessel DWT | Capacity | Primary Use | Restrictions & Safety Notes | Commercial Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hengqin Main Anchorage | 22°08’45″N 113°33’00″E | 10.5 | 14-18 | Clay/Sand | 120,000 | 9 vessels | Cruise ships/RORO | Passenger vessel priority; Special security measures | Tourist services available; Customs clearance onsite |
Critical Operational Information:
– Navigation Warnings:
– LNG exclusion zone within 1nm of Gaolan LNG terminal (21°55’00″N 113°35’00″E)
– Military exercise areas near Wanshan (NOTAM updates required)
– New underwater cables installed near Jiuzhou (2024) – consult latest charts
– Temporary anchorage closures during major events (check NOTAMs)
– Tidal Data:
– Mean tidal range: 1.0-2.5m (spring tides)
– Maximum current: 4.2 knots at Gaolan entrance (flood tide)
– Storm surge potential: +1.5m during typhoons
– Lowest astronomical tide (LAT) datum for all depth measurements
– Communication Protocols:
– VHF Channels: Ch16 (Distress), Ch12 (Port Control), Ch14 (Pilot), Ch09 (Working)
– Mandatory reporting points at all anchorage approaches
– AIS must be maintained operational at all times
– Port Control contact: +86 756 333 3355 (official number)
– Safety Regulations:
– Minimum under-keel clearance: 10% of draft or 2m (whichever greater)
– Typhoon season (June-Oct): Additional mooring lines required
– Prohibited: Anchoring in cable/pipeline zones (marked on charts)
– Mandatory anchor watch during all anchorage periods
– Emergency procedures posted at all anchorage areas
– Environmental:
– Zero discharge policy within 12nm of coast
– Oily waste reception facilities at all main anchorages
– Special garbage handling for food waste in Jiuzhou area
– Ballast water exchange restrictions apply (check local regulations)
