Port Rules and Regulations,Compliance and Enforcement of Taicang Port

General Port Regulations

1. - Port Limits: Defined as 31°30’00″N to 31°45’00″N and 121°05’00″E to 121°25’00″E (MSA Notice 2023-12)
  - Mandatory Reporting Points:
    - 12nm offshore: VHF Ch 16/12
    - Port entrance: Automatic AIS position reporting
    - 24-hour pre-arrival notice via email (portops@taicangport.gov.cn)
    - New: Digital declaration via porttaicang.cn 48hrs before ETA
  - Speed Limits:
    - Outer harbor: ≤10 knots
    - Inner harbor: ≤5 knots
    - Terminal areas: ≤3 knots
    - Within 500m of LNG terminal: ≤8 knots
    - New: ≤6 knots during bunkering operations
  - Vessel age restrictions:
    - Oil tankers: ≤20 years
    - Bulk carriers: ≤25 years
    - Special approval required for older vessels
    - New: Additional inspection for vessels >15 years
  - New: Daylight restrictions:
    - Vessels >300m LOA: 0600-1800 only
    - Special night navigation permit available
2. Vessel Traffic Management
  - VTS Requirements:
    - Continuous monitoring on Ch 12
    - Position reports every 15 minutes for vessels >10,000GT
    - Mandatory AIS-SART testing before entry
    - New: Digital VTS clearance required before movement
  - Traffic Separation Scheme:
    - Inbound lane: Starboard side (121°18’E to 121°20’E)
    - Outbound lane: Port side (121°15’E to 121°17’E)
    - 2nm separation zone
    - No-go zone at 31°42’N 121°19’E
    - New: Recommended tracks for VLCCs published
  - Restricted Movements:
    - No overtaking in inner channel
    - Daylight only for vessels >250m LOA
    - Tidal restrictions for vessels >18m draft
    - New: Current speed >3 knots: movement restrictions
  - Mandatory escort tugs for:
    - VLCCs (>200,000DWT)
    - LNG carriers
    - Vessels with engine problems
    - New: All vessels during visibility <1km
  - New: Anchorage regulations:
    - Anchorage A: Vessels <200m
    - Anchorage B: Vessels >200m
    - Maximum stay: 72 hours
3. Environmental Compliance
  - Air Emissions:
    - 0.10% sulfur limit at berth (GB 17586-2023)
    - Shore power mandatory for vessels >5,000GT from 2025
    - Continuous emissions monitoring for tankers
    - New: NOx Tier III requirements for vessels built after 2021
  - Waste Management:
    - Plastic waste: Zero discharge
    - Oil residues: Max 30L per operation
    - Mandatory food waste separation from 2024-07-01
    - New: E-waste collection points at all terminals
  - Ballast Water:
    - Exchange prohibited within 12nm
    - D-2 standard required for all vessels
    - Ballast water sampling facility available
    - New: Mandatory ballast water log inspection
  - Underwater noise restrictions:
    - ≤160 dB re 1μPa @ 1m during berthing
    - Special measures for marine mammals season
    - New: Acoustic monitoring system installed
  - New: Anti-fouling requirements:
    - Biocide-free coatings preferred
    - Hull cleaning only at approved facilities
4. Safety Requirements
  - Fire Prevention:
    - Hot work permit required
    - Fire patrols every 4 hours
    - Thermal imaging cameras mandatory for tankers
    - New: Fire drill within 24hrs of arrival
  - Mooring Operations:
    - Minimum 6 lines for vessels >200m
    - Automatic tension monitoring required
    - Synthetic rope testing every 6 months
    - New: Emergency release system testing monthly
  - Emergency Equipment:
    - Oil spill kit ≥200L capacity
    - Emergency towing gear ready
    - Mandatory emergency lighting for all gangways
    - New: Gas detectors for all tankers
  - Gangway safety:
    - Maximum angle ≤30°
    - Netting required for heights >2m
    - 24-hour watch for unattended gangways
    - New: Gangway load testing certificate required
  - New: Working aloft regulations:
    - Safety harness mandatory
    - Permit required for heights >5m
    - No work during winds >15m/s
5. Cargo Operations
  - Container Securing:
    - Visual check every 12 hours
    - Lashing software required for >8,000TEU
    - Wind speed restrictions (>15m/s cease operations)
    - New: Mandatory twist lock inspection
  - Dangerous Goods:
    - Segregation per IMDG Code
    - Emergency plans for Class 1-3
    - Mandatory DG cargo tracking system
    - New: Temperature monitoring for Class 4.1
  - Bulk Cargo:
    - Coal: Methane monitoring every 8 hours
    - Grain: Fumigation certificate
    - Iron ore moisture content ≤8%
    - New: Dust suppression during loading/unloading
  - Liquid cargo transfer:
    - Vapor recovery mandatory
    - Emergency shutdown system testing before operations
    - Max transfer rate ≤3,000m³/hr without special approval
    - New: Bonding cable inspection required
  - New: Heavy lift operations:
    - Prior notice 72hrs in advance
    - Wind limit ≤10m/s
    - Dedicated safety officer required
6. Enforcement Measures
  - Inspection Regime:
    - Port State Control: 25% random inspection
    - Mandatory for vessels >15 years old
    - Cyber security inspections for tankers
    - New: Cargo securing special inspection program
  - Penalties:
    - AIS non-compliance: Up to ¥50,000
    - Oil pollution: Up to ¥500,000
    - False declarations: Up to ¥200,000
    - New: Safety violation fines doubled during holidays
  - Detention Criteria:
    - 3+ major deficiencies
    - Critical safety items
    - Repeated minor deficiencies (5+)
    - New: Automatic detention for unauthorized modifications
  - Reward system:
    - Green ship incentives (5% fee reduction)
    - Exemplary safety record recognition
    - New: Fast-track clearance for compliant vessels
  - New: Appeal process:
    - Written protest within 24hrs
    - Review by port authority committee
    - Final decision within 7 days
7. Legal Framework
  - International Conventions:
    - SOLAS 1974 (2021 amendments)
    - MARPOL 73/78 (Annex VI)
    - BWM Convention 2004
    - New: Hong Kong Convention 2009 (recycling)
  - National Laws:
    - China Maritime Code
    - Port Law of PRC
    - New: Yangtze River Protection Law
  - Local Regulations:
    - Taicang Port Authority Rules (2024 Revision)
    - Yangtze River Navigation Rules (Article 15-28)
    - Taicang Special Economic Zone Maritime Safety Regulations
    - New: Taicang Port Emergency Response Plan
  - Industry Standards:
    - OCIMF MEG4 (2023 Edition)
    - ICS Bridge Procedures Guide
    - IMO MSC.1/Circ.1638 (Cyber Risk Management)
    - New: ISO 23037:2021 (Port call optimization)
8. Verification Sources
  - Official Documents:
    - MSA Regulations 2024 (Circular No. 15-2024)
    - Taicang Port Operations Manual (Version 5.2)
    - China Port Association Technical Guidelines
    - New: IMO Member State Audit Report (China 2023)
  - Technical Standards:
    - ISO 28000:2022 (Security Management)
    - ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety)
    - GB 30000-2023 (Chinese Chemical Classification)
    - New: IEC 63173-1:2023 (Data sharing)
  - Operational Records:
    - Port State Control reports (2020-2024)
    - VTS incident logs (Last 5 years)
    - Terminal Safety Performance Indicators
    - New: Pilotage incident database
9. Compliance Certification
  - Required Certificates:
    - Green Ship Certificate (for fee reduction)
    - Cyber Security Statement of Compliance
    - Low Noise Operation Certificate
    - New: Energy Efficiency Certificate
  - Inspection Bodies:
    - China Classification Society
    - DNV/GL, ABS, LR (recognized)
    - MSA-approved third-party auditors
    - New: IACS member societies only
  - Validity Periods:
    - Safety Equipment: Annual survey
    - Pollution Prevention: 2.5 years
    - Cyber Security Audit: 3 years
    - New: Vessel Particulars Verification: 5 years
  - New: Digital certificates:
    - Blockchain-based verification available
    - QR code scanning for authenticity check
10. Port Infrastructure
  - Terminal Specifications:
    - Container Terminal:
      - Max LOA: 400m
      - Max Draft: 16.5m
      - Automated stacking cranes (50 units)
      - New: On-dock rail facility (50,000 TEU capacity)
    - Bulk Terminal:
      - Loading rate: 5,000 MT/hr
      - Dust suppression system coverage: 100%
      - New: Automated sampling system
    - LNG Terminal:
      - Berth length: 350m
      - Max capacity: 266,000m³
      - New: Emergency shutdown radius: 1,000m
  - Navigational Aids:
    - 10 buoys with AIS transmitters
    - 2 lighthouses with radar reflectors
    - Differential GPS correction service
    - New: Virtual ATON system implemented
  - New: Emergency Facilities:
    - Oil spill response base (500m³ capacity)
    - Emergency medical center (24/7)
    - Fireboat station (3 vessels)
11. Crew Welfare Provisions
  - Shore Leave:
    - 24/7 access with biometric ID
    - Designated crew recreation areas
    - New: Free shuttle service to city center
  - Medical Services:
    - Port clinic with emergency care
    - Telemedicine available
    - Mental health support hotline
    - New: Vaccination center
  - Training Requirements:
    - Port-specific safety induction
    - Annual emergency drills
    - New: Mandatory cyber security training
  - New: Crew Facilities:
    - Internet café (free 2hr/day)
    - Multifaith prayer room
    - Laundry service
12. Special Circumstances
  - Force Majeure:
    - Typhoon procedures (Signal No. 8+)
    - Fog contingency plans
    - New: Earthquake response protocol
  - Security Threats:
    - ISPS Level 2/3 protocols
    - Armed guard deployment rules
    - New: Drone threat response
  - Pandemic Response:
    - Isolation berths available
    - Emergency medical evacuation
    - New: Contactless provisioning system
  - New: Cyber Attacks:
    - Port-wide network shutdown procedure
    - Manual backup systems
    - Designated cybersecurity officer