Fangcheng

1. Fangcheng Gang boarding position 5 Pilot boards21°29.5′N 108°12.0′E

Size limits

LOA 324.99m, beam 54m, draught 20m, 228,693DWT.

Water density

1016.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Min 0.1m, max 5.3m. Average is 3.7m with an average range over 3m for 300 days a year. Within the main channel, the peak rate of the incoming tide is approx 1kt, while the peak ebb rate is 1.75kts.

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

Traffic schemes and VTS

A VTMS is in operation.

Anchorages

There is an anchorage for dangerous cargo; "B9" in Anchorage Area No 1 and for highly hazardous cargo at "B10" in the same area.

Restrictions

One way traffic is in force in the entry fairways and overtaking is prohibited.

Tugs

There are 2 x 4380hp, 2 x 3,840hp, 1 x 2,840hp, 1 x 1,360hp, 1 x 790hp and 2 x 670hp tugs available.

Charts and publications

BA 3938, 3992. 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, 7 days 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

Vessels calling at Chinese ports are recommended to use Shanghai Radio (callsign "XSG") and Tianjin Radio (callsign "XSV") for passing messages at long range. Both stations work throughout 24 hours. Inmarsat communication is possible through Shanghai.

VHF: Fangcheng Radio monitors Ch 09 and 16 throughout 24 hours.

Pilot: Ch 6.

Port Authority: VHF: Ch 9, Telephone: +86 770 289 1841, Fax: +86 770 282 2663.

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

The NOR should be tendered via the agent 7 days prior to arrival.

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

Minor equipment and instrument repairs can be undertaken. Divers available.

Dry docks

Drydock available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available alongside and by barge.

Bunkers: At all berths, MGO, MDO, HFO available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

There are medical facilities available, 1km.

Crew change

Crew change is possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Nanning International Airport, 160km.

There are local rail and road networks.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours. Shift 1; 0800-1600hrs, shift 2; 1600-2359hrs, shift 3; 0001-0800hrs.

Where it is

The port of Fangcheng is situated on the North bank of Beibu Bay between the Bailong Peninsula of Beibu Gulf in the South China Sea and the Qisha Peninsula.

The port

The port is the farthest hub port on the SW coast of China.

Imports: Grain, steel products, coal, fertilisers, raw sugar, iron ore, vegetable oil.

Exports: Cement, ore, timber, zinc, barytes and general cargo.

Beihai, Qinzhou and Fangcheng ports are on the Guangxi Beibu Gulf. All three port operators are owned by the Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Group, which in turn is controlled by the Guangxi government.

Traffic

Approx 190,000,000t of cargo and 1,000,00TEU handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Fangcheng?

The pilot boards at Fangcheng Gang boarding position 5, 21°29.5′N 108°12.0′E.

What time zone is Fangcheng in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Fangcheng?

The deepest berth listed is at Guangxi Fangchenggang LNG Terminal (PipeChina): 11.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Fangcheng?

1016.

Which load line zone is Fangcheng 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 Fangcheng?

Port State Control at Fangcheng: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Fangcheng?

The UN/LOCODE of Fangcheng is CNFAN.

What crews who called at Fangcheng 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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