Port Rules and Regulations,Compliance and Enforcement of BeiHai Port

1. LEGAL JURISDICTION AND APPLICABLE LAWS

• Primary Legislation:
  • China Maritime Code (2020 Amendment)
  • Regulations on the Prevention and Control of Marine Pollution from Ships (China MSA Decree No. 11, 2023)
  • Beihai Port Special Administrative Measures (Guangxi Government Order No. 45, 2024)
  • Guangxi Free Trade Zone Negative List (2024 Revision) – Restrictions on foreign-owned port operations
  • New: Maritime Traffic Safety Law (2024 Amendment) – Enhanced penalties for navigation violations
• Enforcement Authority:
  • Beihai Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) holds full jurisdiction over port waters (extending 20NM offshore)
  • Port State Control inspections conducted under Tokyo MOU guidelines
  • Joint enforcement with China Coast Guard for territorial waters beyond 12NM
  • New: Special Environmental Protection Unit established (June 2024) for pollution monitoring
• New: Port-Specific Boundaries:
  • Main port area: 21°28’N 109°06’E to 21°31’N 109°10’E
  • Restricted anchorage zones clearly marked on MSA Chart 15411

2. PORT STATE CONTROL INSPECTIONS

• Inspection Criteria:
  • High-Risk Targets: Vessels with:
    • 3+ deficiencies in last 12 months
    • Over 15 years age for tankers/over 20 years for general cargo
    • Prior detentions in Chinese ports
    • Vessels carrying radioactive materials (special inspection protocol)
    • New: Vessels with open SAMSA findings (South African inspections)
  • Mandatory Inspection Items:
    • Structural integrity (especially for bulk carriers >10 years)
    • Fuel oil samples (sulfur content verification)
    • Emergency fire pump operational test
    • Lifeboat launch demonstration (annual)
    • Verification of ECDIS backup arrangements (SOLAS V/19)
    • New: Testing of emergency steering gear (full rudder movement verification)
• Deficiency Classification:
  • Code 30 (Detainable): E.g., inoperative main engine, missing fire doors
  • Code 17 (Rectify at Next Port): E.g., expired medical certificates
  • Code 10 (Non-detainable): E.g., minor paperwork discrepancies
  • Code 40 (Criminal Investigation): For deliberate falsification of records
  • New: Code 25 (Operational Restriction): E.g., speed limitations for hull damage
• Inspection Statistics (2023 Data):
  • Total inspections: 1,287 vessels
  • Detention rate: 4.2% (54 vessels)
  • Average deficiencies per inspection: 2.8
  • Most common deficiencies:
    1. Fire dampers inoperative (23%)
    2. Inaccurate cargo declaration (18%)
    3. SOx scrubber non-compliance (15%)
    4. New: Inadequate pilot ladder rigging (12%)

3. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE ENFORCEMENT

• Air Emissions:
  • Fuel Sampling Protocol:
    • Random checks on 10% of visiting vessels
    • Instant fines for sulfur >0.5%: RMB 10,000-100,000 (USD 1,400-14,000)
    • Continuous emissions monitoring for vessels at berth >24 hours
    • New: Mandatory use of mass flow meters for fuel oil bunkering (GB/T 38288-2019 standard)
  • Shore Power Mandate:
    • Mandatory for container ships >5,000 GT berthing >2 hours (effective Jan 2025)
    • 50% electricity subsidy for first-year compliance
    • New: Technical specifications for shore connection (IEC/ISO/IEEE 80005-1)
• Waste Management:
  • Garbage Record Book:
    • 100% inspection rate for vessels with prior environmental violations
    • Plastic discharge prohibition strictly enforced via CCTV monitoring at berths
  • Ballast Water Management:
    • D-2 standard enforcement since 2024 for all vessels >400 GT
    • Approved treatment systems must have China Type Approval Certificate
    • New: Mandatory ballast water reporting 24 hours before arrival (Form BDNNR-2024)
  • New: Sewage Discharge:
    • Zero discharge within 3NM of shore (MARPOL Annex IV)
    • Approved treatment plants must meet GB 3552-2018 standards

4. SAFETY REGULATION ENFORCEMENT

• Operational Violations:
  • Navigation:
    • Speeding in channel: RMB 5,000-50,000 fine + possible suspension of port entry rights
    • Unauthorized anchorage: RMB 20,000 immediate penalty
    • Automatic AIS blacklisting for repeat offenders (3+ violations)
    • New: Mandatory use of electronic navigation charts (ENCs) in port approaches
  • Cargo Operations:
    • Overloading beyond draft marks: Detention + RMB 100,000 fine
    • Unsecured dangerous goods: Criminal liability under Article 136 of China’s Criminal Law
    • Mandatory use of laser load indicators for bulk carriers >20,000 DWT
    • New: Grain cargoes require angle of repose certification from loading port
• Documentation Checks:
  • Required Certificates:
    • Valid Class certificate with China MSA endorsement
    • Crew certificates verified against IMDGS database
    • Digital Certificates of Financial Responsibility (COFR) for oil tankers
    • New: Cyber Security Management Certificate (IMO MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3)
  • New: Crew Welfare Requirements:
    • Minimum 10m² living space per crew member (MLC 2006)
    • Medical chest must include Chinese-approved medications

5. PENALTY SYSTEM AND APPEALS

• Fine Structure:
  • Tiered based on violation severity:
    • Level 1 (Minor): RMB 1,000-10,000 (e.g., paperwork errors)
    • Level 2 (Major): RMB 10,000-100,000 (e.g., safety equipment deficiencies)
    • Level 3 (Critical): RMB 100,000+ & detention (e.g., pollution incidents)
    • Level 4 (Enterprise Ban): For 3+ Level 3 violations within 12 months (max 2-year port entry prohibition)
    • New: Level 5 (Criminal Referral): For willful endangerment of life
• Appeal Process:
  • Must file within 7 working days to Beihai MSA Legal Department
  • Requires notarized evidence and US$5,000 appeal bond
  • Electronic appeal submission via China MSA Online Portal (CaseID required)
  • New: Independent Arbitration: Available through China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC)
• New: Mitigating Factors:
  • 30% fine reduction for self-reporting violations within 24 hours
  • Priority inspection for vessels with 5+ years clean record

6. PORT SECURITY MEASURES

• ISPS Compliance:
  • Security Levels:
    • Level 1: Standard checks (10% of containers scanned)
    • Level 2: 100% container inspection + armed guards
    • Level 3 (Emergency): Mandatory armed PLA escort for sensitive cargo
    • New: Automated container scanning using neutron detectors for Level 2+
  • Restricted Areas:
    • No photography within 500m of naval facilities
    • Drone use prohibited without PLA approval
    • Biometric access control for all port workers (facial recognition system)
    • New: RFID tracking of all personnel in Zone A security areas
• Cybersecurity Requirements:
  • Mandatory GB/T 22239-2019 compliance for ship-shore data exchange
  • Vessel network systems audit prior to sensitive cargo operations
  • New: Monthly vulnerability scans required for ships with ECDIS connectivity

7. INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC REGULATIONS

• Container Ships:
  • Verified Gross Mass (VGM) declaration must use China-approved weighing methods (GB/T 34858-2017)
  • Dangerous goods containers require 3-point lashing minimum
  • New: Mandatory twist lock inspection before departure (MSA Circular 2024-06)
• Passenger Ships:
  • Emergency muster drills must include 5% of passengers (minimum 20 persons)
  • Medical staff requirement: 1 doctor + 2 nurses for ships carrying >500 passengers

8. PORT FACILITY OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Berthing Specifications:
  • Tieshan Port Area:
    • Max LOA: 350m | Max draft: 18.5m
    • Dedicated dangerous goods berths: No. 5-7 (Class 1.1-1.3 explosives prohibited)
  • New: Beihai International Cruise Terminal:
    • Gangway load capacity: Minimum 500kg/m²
    • Emergency medical transfer corridor must remain unobstructed
• Port Services:
  • Bunkering operations require dual valve isolation + drip trays
  • Fresh water supply meets GB 5749-2022 drinking standards
  • New: 24/7 emergency towing available (contact VHF CH16)

9. EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROTOCOLS

• Oil Spill Response:
  • Tier 1 capacity: 200 tons immediate containment
  • Mandatory reporting within 15 minutes of detection
  • New: Drone surveillance fleet operational (10km range)
• Search & Rescue:
  • Helicopter landing zones marked at Berths 12, 18, and 24
  • SAR coordination center: +86-779-12395 (English-speaking staff available)
• New: Piracy Prevention:
  • Armed escort required for high-value cargoes in western anchorage
  • Water cannon defense systems mandatory for tankers at outer berths

10. CREW SAFETY PROVISIONS

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
  • Mandatory wear of EN 397-certified helmets in operational areas
  • High-visibility vests must meet ISO 20471 Class 3
• Medical Facilities:
  • Port hospital: 24/7 trauma center (GPS: 21.4867°N, 109.1204°E)
  • Decompression chamber available for diving operations
  • New: Telemedicine link to Guangzhou Maritime Hospital

11. NAVIGATIONAL AIDS & COMMUNICATIONS

• Channel Markings:
  • Main channel: ICWMS Buoyage System (IALA Region A)
  • No. 1-28 buoys equipped with Automatic Identification System (AIS)
• VHF Channels:
  • Port Operations: CH12 (English/Chinese)
  • Pilotage: CH09
  • New: Emergency backup channel: CH67

12. RECORD KEEPING & REPORTING

• Mandatory Logs:
  • Oil Record Book (Part I & II) – original pages only, no photocopies
  • Engine room log must record scavenge fire incidents (if applicable)
• Pre-arrival Reports:
  • 24-hour advance notice for dangerous goods (IMO FAL Form 7)
  • Ship sanitation certificates valid 6 months maximum

COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST FOR MASTERS

1. Verify all certificates have original China MSA stamps
2. Confirm emergency generator can sustain full load for 18 hours
3. Test bilge alarms with port authorities present
4. Display current garbage placard (Chinese/English)
5. New: Submit crew vaccination records (if medical waste generated)