Port Rules and Regulations,Compliance and Enforcement of Changzhou Port

1. Legal Framework

Changzhou Port operates under the following primary legal and regulatory frameworks:

• Maritime Traffic Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China (2021 Amendment, effective July 1, 2021)
• Port Law of the People’s Republic of China (2018 Revision, State Council Order No. 653)
• Regulations on the Prevention and Control of Marine Environmental Pollution by Ships (MOT Order No. 11, 2020)
• Jiangsu Provincial Port Regulations (2022 Edition, Jiangsu People’s Congress No. 42)
• Changzhou Port Authority Local Implementation Rules (2023, Port Regulation No. 5)
• IMO Resolution MSC.158(78) (Mandatory for all international vessels)
• Yangtze River Shipping Administration Special Provisions (No. 15/2021, Yangtze MSA)
• International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code (China Implementation Rules, 2022)

2. Navigation Management

2.1 Vessel Traffic Service (VTS)

• Mandatory VTS reporting requirements:
  • All vessels ≥ 300 GT or ≥ 50m LOA
  • Tugs with barge combinations ≥ 100m total length
• Communication protocols:
  

  Channel	Purpose	Monitoring
  Ch 08	Primary working channel	24/7
  Ch 16	Emergency communications	Continuous
  Ch 69	Port operations coordination	0600-2200

• Reporting points:
  • Yangtze River entrance (121°45’E) – Report ETA, cargo, draft
  • Port approach (119°55’E) – Confirm pilot request
  • Inner harbor entrance – Report final mooring plan
• Additional requirements:
  • Real-time AIS transmission required for all vessels >500 GT
  • Pre-arrival notification required:
    • 24 hours prior to ETA (general cargo)
    • 48 hours for hazardous cargo (IMDG Class 1-9)
  • Mandatory passage planning for vessels >150m LOA

2.2 Speed Limits

2.3 Special Navigation Requirements

• Daylight navigation restrictions:
  • Vessels >200m LOA
  • Convoys with width >32m
  • Vessels carrying Class 1 dangerous goods
  • Vessels with unusual towing arrangements
• Under-keel clearance:
  • Minimum 0.5m at all times
  • 1.0m recommended during spring tides
• Tidal restrictions:
  • No entry/exit during spring tide (≥4.5m tidal variation)
  • Special clearance required for neap tide operations
• Mooring requirements:
  

  Vessel Size	Minimum Lines	Special Requirements
  <100m	4 head, 4 stern	Nylon preferred
  100-200m	6 head, 6 stern	Mixed synthetic/steel
  >200m	8 head, 8 stern	All lines >50mm diameter

3. Safety Requirements

3.1 Crew Certification

• Mandatory certifications:
  • Yangtze River navigation endorsement for all deck officers
  • Special certification for hazardous cargo operations
  • Valid medical certificates for all crew
• Minimum safe manning requirements (exceeding IMO standards):
  

  Vessel Type	Additional Crew Required	Special Notes
  Bulk Carriers >20,000 DWT	+1 Deck Officer	Must have cargo experience
  Tankers	+1 Certified Safety Officer	Advanced firefighting required
  Container Ships	+1 Cargo Officer	Lashing certification

• Training requirements:
  • Port-specific familiarization for:
    • Pilots and masters making first call
    • New crew members joining vessels in port
  • Bridge Resource Management training for officers on vessels >10,000 GT
  • Annual emergency drill certification
• Working hours limitations:
  • Maximum 14 hours duty in port
  • Minimum 6 consecutive hours rest
  • Special restrictions during cargo operations

3.2 Emergency Equipment

• Life-saving appliances:
  • Minimum 200% lifejacket capacity
  • 10% child-size lifejackets if carrying passengers
  • Monthly inspection records required
• Immersion suits:
  • All crew during November-March
  • Bridge team during restricted visibility
  • Annual pressure testing required
• Gas detection:
  

  Vessel Type	Required Detectors	Calibration Frequency
  Tankers	4 multi-gas units	3 months
  Bulk Carriers	2 O2/CO2 units	6 months
  All vessels	1 portable unit	Annual

• Firefighting systems:
  • Additional requirements:
    • 2 extra portable foam units for tankers
    • Thermal imaging cameras for vessels >50m LOA
  • Quarterly fire drills must include:
    • Port-specific scenarios
    • Coordination with shore teams
• Emergency towing arrangements:
  • Vessels >20,000 DWT must demonstrate readiness
  • Annual drills required
  • Fore and aft connection points clearly marked

3.3 Operational Safety

• Hot work permits:
  • Valid for maximum 6 hours
  • Require gas-free certificate in enclosed spaces
  • Fire watch mandatory during and 2 hours after
• Enclosed space entry:
  • Permit system enforced
  • Continuous ventilation required
  • Rescue harnesses mandatory
• Gangway safety:
  • Minimum width 600mm
  • Safety net required if >2m above water
  • Night lighting to 50 lux minimum

4. Environmental Compliance

4.1 Emission Control

• ECA requirements:
  • 0.5% sulfur cap within 12nm of port
  • Real-time monitoring for vessels ≥10000 GT
  • Fuel changeover log required
• Shore power connections:
  

  Vessel Type	Minimum Connection Time	Voltage Requirements
  Container ships ≥5000 GT	2 hours	6.6kV/60Hz
  Cruise ships	Full berthing period	11kV/50Hz
  Bulk carriers >20,000 DWT	4 hours	6.6kV/60Hz

• NOx control:
  • Tier III standards for newbuilds >500 GT
  • SCR systems required for certain vessel types
• Record keeping:
  • Fuel oil samples retained for 12 months
  • Bunker delivery notes available for inspection

4.2 Waste Management

4.3 Ballast Water Management

• Exchange requirements:
  • Outside Yangtze estuary (>200nm from shore)
  • 95% volumetric efficiency
  • Salinity verification possible
• Treatment systems:
  • Approval timeline:
    • All newbuilds from 2024
    • Existing vessels >5000 GT by 2026
  • Type-approved systems only
• Record keeping:
  • Ballast water record book
  • Treatment system maintenance logs

5. Operational Restrictions

• Draft limitations:
  • Maximum 10.5m (tide-dependent)
  • Daily updates via Port Notice
  • Under-keel clearance monitoring
• Weather restrictions:
  • Prohibited operations during:
    • Visibility <1000m
    • Wind >Beaufort 7
    • Typhoon warning signal ≥3
  • Special precautions during:
    • Thunderstorms
    • Heavy rainfall (>50mm/h)
• Cargo operations:
  

  Cargo Type	Max Transfer Rate	Weather Restrictions	Safety Supervisor
  LNG	3000m³/h	No ops if wind >15m/s	Mandatory
  Coal	2000t/h	Stop if dust exceeds 50mg/m³	Recommended
  Chemicals	By product	No rain operations	Mandatory

• Night navigation:
  • Permitted only with:
    • Approved lighting systems
    • Two pilots aboard for vessels >150m
    • Enhanced bridge team
  • Restricted areas:
    • No night movement in turning basins
    • Special approval for dangerous goods

6. Enforcement Measures

6.1 Inspection Regime

• Targeted inspection criteria:
  

  Vessel Category	Inspection Priority	Focus Areas
  First-time callers	100% inspection	Documentation, safety systems
  Vessels with prior deficiencies	100% inspection	Previous deficiencies, corrective actions
  High-risk cargo carriers	100% inspection	Cargo securing, fire protection
  Vessels >15 years old	100% inspection	Structural integrity, maintenance records
  Other vessels	20% random inspection	Selected based on risk assessment

• Special inspection procedures:
  • Fuel oil sampling (3% of vessels per month):
    • Sulfur content verification
    • Sample retention for 3 months
  • Ballast water management:
    • Record book examination
    • Possible sampling for analysis
  • Emergency systems verification:
    • Emergency generator load test (30 min)
    • Lifeboat launching capability
• Inspection documentation:
  • Port State Control inspection report
  • Deficiency notice (if applicable)
  • Follow-up action requirements

6.2 Penalties

6.3 Appeal Process

• Initial appeal:
  • Written submission within 7 days of penalty notice
  • Must include supporting evidence
  • Fee: 1% of fine amount (max 5,000 RMB)
• Port Authority response:
  • Required within 14 days of receipt
  • May request additional information
  • Possible penalty reduction or cancellation
• Final appeal:
  • To Jiangsu Maritime Safety Administration
  • Within 30 days of Port Authority decision
  • Binding decision within 60 days
• Payment terms:
  • Due within 30 days of final decision
  • 20% discount for immediate payment
  • Vessel clearance requires penalty resolution

7. Verification and Certification

• Port performance metrics:
  

  Metric	2023 Value	Target
  Port State Control inspection compliance rate	98.2%	>95%
  Environmental violation rate	1.8%	<2%
  Navigation incident rate	0.7 per 1000 movements	<1.0

• Recognized classification societies:
  • China Classification Society (CCS)
  • American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
  • DNV GL
  • Lloyd’s Register (LR)
  • Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK)
• Mandatory certifications:
  • ISPS Code compliance certificate
  • Port Facility Security Certificate (PFSC)
  • Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (approved by MSA)
  • Garbage Management Plan
  • Ballast Water Management Plan
• Port-specific certifications:
  • Changzhou Port Safety Compliance Certificate
  • Yangtze River Navigation Endorsement
  • Dangerous Goods Handling Qualification

8. Contact Information

• Changzhou Port Authority:
  • Address: No. 1 Port Road, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000
  • 24-hour Operations: +86 519 8518 8888
  • Emergency: +86 519 8518 9999
  • Email: operations@czport.gov.cn
• Maritime Safety Administration:
  • Changzhou MSA: +86 519 8517 3171
  • Yangtze River MSA: +86 25 5880 2955
• Pilot Station:
  • VHF Channel 12
  • Phone: +86 519 8518 6666