Chiwan

1. Chiwan pilot boarding place Pilot boards22°23.7′N 113°53.7′E

Size limits

LOA 400m, beam 61.5m, draught 15.8m, 281,456DWT.

Water density

1019.

Load line zone

China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Jan 21 to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.

Tides

Max current rates are experienced 1-2 hours before and 3-5 hours after HW. A tidal stream of 2kts sets across the entrance to Chiwan harbour.

Max rise 3.44m; min rise 0.95m, average rise 1.36m.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The recommended approach for vessels over 4,000GT is through the waters of Hong Kong SAR and Tung Pok Liu Hoi Hap (E Lamma Channel) (22°14'N 114°09'E) and Mawan Channel (22°21'N 114°05'E).

In due course the planned Tonggu Waterway will provide a more direct route for vessels to these ports from Zhujiang Kou.

The harbour approach channel is short and straight, marked by buoys and leading lights. Length 2,000m, width 120m, depth Outer Harbour Container Terminal 14.1m CD, Inner Harbour 11.0m CD. The bottom is sand and mud.

Tugs

There are 6 tugs available.

Mooring

Berthing in Inner Harbour takes place at HW.

Charts and publications

BA 343, 348, 3026, 4124. Admiralty Pilot NP30, NP286(6).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

The Master should advise the vessel's ETA to the State agent, or through the local agent to the state agency, 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to the vessel's arrival at the pilot station. The ETA message should include the time and date of the vessel's arrival and sea/fresh water draughts.

If there is any dangerous cargo onboard, the Master should also report details of that cargo including description, packaging, IMO code and gross/net weight.

Should the vessel's ETA or other circumstances change, prior to arrival, the Master should send further messages.

Communications

ETA messages can be passed through Guangzhou coastal radio.

VHF: Ch 11 and 73, monitored throughout 24 hours, callsign "Penavico Shenzhen".

Standard messages

The vessel's agent will send instructions to in bound vessels through the coast radio station being used or via Inmarsat. The instructions usually include the time and position of the pilot boarding. The Master is required to confirm receipt of messages to avoid delays to the vessel.

Notice of readiness

Normally NOR should be tendered according to the relevant clause in the Charter Party. If there is no special clause then it should be tendered according to the actual working hours of the port.

Documents

Note: In the above table LA = Local agent, IM = Immigration office, CH = Customs House, QI = Quarantine Inspection office, AP = Animal and Plant Inspection office, HM = Harbour Master.

Health

When a vessel departs its previous port, prior to calling at a Chinese port, it should apply for pratique by radio.

Once the vessel arrives in port, the Quarantine officer boards to carry out an inspection.

Before pratique is granted, the vessel must fly the Interco "Q" flag and no crew are allowed to proceed ashore.

Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates can be renewed in all Chinese ports licensed for handling international vessels.

Customs and immigration

Allowances: The allowance for officers and crew are 2 cartons of cigarettes and 2 bottles of liquid which must be included in the Crew's Effects Declaration to the Customs House. There is a penalty for non compliance. The punishment for additional liquids varies according to the brand.

Immigration: Shore Passes are issued to each crew member after the Master has submitted/shown all the necessary documentation required to the Immigration officer. This includes General Declaration, Crew's Effect Declaration, Crew List and passports.

Crew are allowed to proceed ashore with a Shore Pass and their passport. All crew must be back onboard by 2359hrs. The crew are restricted to the city area and will be fined if they proceed outside this area. All foreign crew members should obey all the laws and practices of the PRC.

Flags

The national flag of the PRC, which is not old, damaged or colour faded, must be displayed in addition to normal Interco flags. Other flags are not to be displayed without permission from the Harbour Master.

Port State Control here: Tokyo MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Department of Water Transportation.

Contact: Senior Marine Officer.

Address: 11 Jian Guo Men Nei Av, Beijing, 100736, China.

Tel: +86 01 652 92626.

Fax: +86 01 652 92642.

Email: [email protected]

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

All available at berths and anchorage.

Medical

Hospital available.

Where it is

The port of Chiwan is located on the E side of Zhujiang River mouth and forms a part of the Shenzhen port complex.

The port

The main cargoes imported are fertiliser, grain, cement, steel products, crude oil, vegetable oil and containerised goods. Exports include sugar, minerals, coal, acid oil and containers.

Traffic

Approx 70,000,000t of cargo and 12,000,000TEU (TEU merged figure with Shekou and Mawan) handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Chiwan?

The pilot boards at Chiwan pilot boarding place, 22°23.7′N 113°53.7′E.

What time zone is Chiwan in?

Local time at Chiwan is UTC+8. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Chiwan?

The deepest berth listed is at Chiwan Container Terminal (CCT): 15.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Chiwan?

1019.

Which load line zone is Chiwan in?

China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Jan 21 to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20.

Who carries out Port State Control at Chiwan?

Port State Control at Chiwan: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Chiwan?

The UN/LOCODE of Chiwan is CNCWN.

What crews who called at Chiwan say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

Read and add tips for Chiwan →