Danang

1. Da Nang pilot boarding place Pilot boards16°10.0′N 108°11.0′E

Size limits

Harbour: Max LOA 335.2m, beam 37.2m, 55,877DWT.

Offshore: Max LOA 106.55m, draught 13.0m, 6,401DWT.

Water density

Depending on the season, tanker berths are salt water.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range, max 1.2m, min 0.6m, average 0.9m.

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

Approach

Danang is approached from seaward through Vung Da Nang.

Approach channel from pilot station to Tien Sa Terminal is 8nm with a min depth of 12.7m and can accommodate vessels up to 70,000DWT.

Anchorages

Outer anchorages: There are designated anchorages within Vung Da Nang.

Caution: A disused explosives dumping ground is within Vung Da Nang, together with two dangerous wrecks and a foul area within or close to the designated anchorages.

Inner anchorages: Large vessels are required to anchor as directed. Small vessels may anchor E of Hai Quan, where there is shelter from the NE monsoon.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchorage is prohibited between the S extremity of Hai Quan and the N end of the detached breakwater protecting the W side of the dredged channel to the river.

Restrictions

Berthing permitted daytime only, except for passenger ships, Ro-Ro and container vessels.

Tugs

There are 7 tugs of 305hp-1,700hp capacity available. The use of the tug is compulsory for vessels over LOA 70m. Tug's lines are used if necessary.

Charts and publications

BA 3884. Admiralty Pilot NP30, NP286(6).

Communications

Radio: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) coast radio station can be used for long range communication.

Communication is possible via Inmarsat.

VHF: Port: Ch 16, 13 (call sign "XVT"). Port Authority listens throughout 24 hours, Vosa Danang and the pilot station listen during daytime only.

Danang Pilots, Tel: +84 511 893811, Fax: +84 511 822652 and email: [email protected].

Notice of readiness

The NOR should be tendered when the vessel arrives at the pilot station.

Documents

Documents No 7 & 8 should be sent to the Port Health Officer, No 10 to the Immigration Office and No 14 sent to the Customs Office.

There are some other special forms to be completed which are delivered by the vessel's agent before or upon vessel's arrival at the pilot station.

In the case of a cruise ship, vessel's agent must mail the Entry/Exit cards for passenger completion before arrival.

If stowaways are onboard the Master must inform the Port Authority and vessel's agent 72, 36 and 24 hours prior to arrival with full details.

Health

Pratique cannot be applied for by radio. It is normally applied for after the Quarantine delegation have viewed all the vessel's documents related to health (such as Health Declaration, vaccination books, Ship Sanitation Control Certificate) and granted.

Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates may be renewed.

Inoculations required for cholera and yellow fever.

Customs and immigration

Customs: Officers and crew have to declare their personal effects to Customs as required. This includes foreign exchange, accompanied baggage and goods. The Customs allowance for officers and crew are a max of 1.5 litres of alcohol, a max of 400 cigarettes, 50-100 cigars, a max of 100gm of tobacco. Penalties for non compliance are based upon individual circumstances.

The bonded store will be sealed while a vessel stays in the port. A release of bonded goods may be permitted at any time subject to Customs approval and presence onboard.

Crew/passengers are not allowed to sell or change their personal effects, which are already declared to Customs, with local people. It is strictly prohibited to supply any bonded goods to shore personnel.

The following are prohibited from import/export: Weapons, explosives, drugs, antiques, documents relating to national security, cultural articles which may cause harm to Vietnam morality.

Flags

Vietnam regulations require vessels entering a Vietnamese port to display the Vietnam flag. If the vessel does not possess a Vietnamese flag, the Master can request the local agent to supply it on arrival at the pilot station. Penalty for non compliance is approx New Dong (D) 100,000-500,000.

Notices and regulations

The main/emergency radio transmitter and direction finder will be sealed when the vessel is in port. No direct communications are therefore possible so all messages must be routed through the vessel's agent.

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: Vietnam Maritime Administration.

Position: Director of Marine Safety Department.

Address: 8 Pham Hung Road, Cau Giay District, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Tel: +84 4 768 3194.

Fax: +84 4 768 3058.

Mob: +84 90 329 5340.

Email: [email protected]

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

Repairs

Small repair facilities available on request through agent.

Repairs taking longer than 2 hours are not permitted unless permission is obtained from the Director of Port Authority.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Limited fuel and diesel oils available.

Medical

There is a hospital in the town, 6 hours notice is required for medical assistance.

Crew change

Available.

Transport

There are airports and railway stations available.

Working hours

Daytime working (8 hours), loading/discharging throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Danang is situated on the South China Sea in the Gulf of Tonking, approx 390nm NNE of Ho Chi Minh City.

The port

It is a principal port of central Vietnam and is of importance being the outlet from the coal mines at Nang Son, 35nm up river.

Traffic

Approx 8,700,000t of cargo, 350,000TEU and 148,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Danang?

The pilot boards at Da Nang pilot boarding place, 16°10.0′N 108°11.0′E.

What time zone is Danang in?

Local time at Danang is UTC+7. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Danang?

The deepest berth listed is at Da Nang: 13.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Danang?

Depending on the season, tanker berths are salt water.

Which load line zone is Danang 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 Danang?

Port State Control at Danang: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Danang?

The UN/LOCODE of Danang is VNDAD.

What crews who called at Danang 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.

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