Port Rules and Regulations,Compliance and Enforcement of Nantong Port

1. VESSEL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

• VTS Requirements
  • Mandatory participation in Yangtze River VTS system from 31°45’N (MSA Notice 2023-18)
  • Reporting points:
    • #1 Reporting Line: 32°15’00″N 121°40’00″E (inbound/outbound)
    • #2 Reporting Line: 32°01’12″N 120°50’24″E (inner harbor)
    • New #3 Reporting Line: 32°05’30″N 121°32’00″E (effective July 2024)
  • Continuous VHF monitoring:
    • Ch 08 (working)
    • Ch 16 (distress)
    • New Ch 71 (tug coordination)
  • New regulation: AIS-SART testing required quarterly (MSA Notice 2024-08)
• Speed Limits
  • Main channel:
    • 12 knots for vessels >10,000 GT
    • 8 knots in fog (visibility <1km)
  • Terminal areas:
    • 6 knots within 500m of berths
    • 4 knots during bunkering operations
  • Special zones:
    • LNG terminal: 4 knots within 1000m
    • Container terminals: 5 knots in turning basins
• New: Daylight Transit Requirements
  • Mandatory daylight passage for:
    • Vessels >250m LOA
    • VLCCs with draft >15m
    • LNG carriers regardless of size
  • Exceptions:
    • Approved by Port Captain with escort tugs
    • Additional pilot required

2. PORT ENTRY/EXIT PROCEDURES

• Documentation Requirements
  • Pre-arrival documents (24hr prior ETA):
    • Maritime Declaration of Health (e-form since 2024)
    • Crew List (with passport/visa details + vaccination records)
    • IMO FAL Forms 1-6 (electronic submission preferred)
    • New: Cybersecurity declaration (MSA Circular 2024-07)
  • Original certificates required for inspection:
    • Class certificates (valid + interim)
    • P&I Club certificate
    • New: Bunker delivery notes (last 3 ports)
• Quarantine Procedures
  • Health declaration:
    • China “Health Declaration” app
    • New: Pre-arrival temperature log (72hrs)
  • Medical requirements:
    • Fever screening at first port of entry
    • Medical waste disposal records (signed by master)
    • New: COVID test kits onboard requirement
• New: Customs Procedures
  • Advanced cargo declaration:
    • 24hr for general cargo
    • 48hr for dangerous goods
  • Bonded stores:
    • Sealed during port stay
    • Special declaration for alcohol/tobacco

3. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

• Air Emissions
  • Fuel sulfur limits:
    • 0.1% at berth (verified by fuel samples)
    • 0.5% within Yangtze River Delta ECA
    • New: 0.1% within 12nm of port (effective Jan 2025)
  • Shore power:
    • Mandatory for:
      • Container ships >5000 GT (since 2022)
      • Cruise ships >10,000 GT (since 2023)
      • New: Bulk carriers >20,000 GT (from 2024)
    • Connection time limit: 1hr after berthing
• Waste Management
  • Garbage Record Book:
    • 100% inspection for vessels >400 GT
    • Random 30% for others
    • New: Plastic waste tracking (barcode system)
  • Special wastes:
    • Oil sludge: Only to licensed receivers
    • New: E-waste separate collection
• New: Ballast Water Management
  • Exchange requirements:
    • >200nm from shore or >200m depth
    • New: Sampling ports installed
  • Treatment systems:
    • USCG/IMO approved type required
    • Calibration records must be available

4. SAFETY REGULATIONS

• Navigational Safety
  • Underkeel clearance:
    • 10% of draft or 0.5m (whichever greater)
    • 1.0m for LNG carriers
    • New: 1.5m during spring tides
  • Bridge resource management:
    • Mandatory two officers during transit
    • New: Yangtze River passage plan requirement
• Emergency Preparedness
  • Mandatory equipment:
    • Port-specific SOPEP supplements (bilingual)
    • New: Drone-based lifebuoys (for terminals)
  • Drill requirements:
    • Monthly must include:
      • Yangtze River collision scenarios
      • Tidal current emergencies
      • New: Cyber attack response
• New: Mooring Safety
  • Line handling:
    • Minimum 6 lines for vessels >200m
    • Snap-back zones clearly marked
  • Weather monitoring:
    • Automatic tensioners required >50,000 DWT
    • Wind speed alarms at 15m/s

5. CARGO OPERATIONS

• Dangerous Goods
  • Advanced notification:
    • 48hr for Class 1 explosives
    • 24hr for other IMDG classes
    • New: 72hr for radioactive materials
  • Stowage requirements:
    • 50m segregation (vs IMDG 25m)
    • New: Thermal monitoring for Class 4.1
• Bulk Cargoes
  • Mandatory declarations:
    • Moisture content for coal/iron ore
    • Angle of repose for grain
    • New: Hydrogen sulfide test for iron ore
  • Dust control:
    • Suppression during loading
    • New: Real-time monitoring at terminals
• New: Container Operations
  • Weight verification:
    • VGM submission 6hr pre-loading
    • New: Random reweighing 5% of boxes
  • Hazardous containers:
    • Special stowage near shipside
    • Emergency access paths maintained

6. ENFORCEMENT MEASURES

• Inspection Regime
  • Port State Control:
    • Target factor 15.5 (China MSA 2024)
    • Concentrated Inspection Campaigns:
      • Fire safety (Q2 2024)
      • ECDIS compliance (Q3 2024)
      • New: Cyber security (Q4 2024)
  • New: Drone-based hull inspections
• Penalty System
  • Fine categories:
    • Minor violations: $500-$5,000 (e.g., paperwork)
    • Major violations: $5,000-$50,000 (e.g., pollution risk)
    • Critical violations: $50,000+ and detention (e.g., safety compromise)
  • Common penalties:
    • AIS non-operation: $3,000
    • Illegal discharge: $20,000 minimum
    • New: False declarations: $10,000 per item
• New: Detention Criteria
  • Immediate detention for:
    • Missing life-saving equipment
    • Fuel non-compliance >0.5% sulfur
    • Critical structural damage
  • Appeal process:
    • Within 24hrs to MSA
    • Independent surveyor option

7. SPECIAL REGULATIONS

• LNG Operations
  • Safety zones:
    • 500m during transfer
    • 200m during standby
  • Mandatory equipment:
    • Gas detection (0-100% LEL)
    • Emergency shutdown (weekly test)
    • New: Infrared cameras for leak detection
• Typhoon Procedures
  • Alert stages:
    • Stage 1 (48hr forecast): Prepare
    • Stage 2 (24hr forecast): Evacuate
    • New: Stage 3 (12hr forecast): Port closure
  • Designated moorings:
    • North Zone: 32°10’12″N 121°25’48″E
    • South Zone: 31°58’48″N 121°33’36″E
    • New: Emergency anchorage depths verified annually
• New: Cybersecurity Requirements
  • Shipboard systems:
    • ECDIS weekly updates
    • Network segmentation required
  • Port interfaces:
    • Approved VPN for data transfer
    • No USB devices without scanning