Fuzhou

Size limits

LOA 367.28m, draught 27.5m, beam 62.005m, 324,988DWT.

Water density

1018-1025.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

Min 0.5m, max 6.5m average tidal range 3.7m.

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

Approach

Draught limitation is 9.5m FW at the mouth of the Minjiang channel.

Song Xia Port area is approached from ENE from 1nm N of Li Yu (25°46.0'N 119°48.0'E) through a channel marked by light buoys (lateral) for approximately 14nm with a branch leading off to the new wharf area at Song Xia Port Yuanhong Terminal. Traffic proceeding NE, from, or SW, towards, Haitan Haixia may cross the buoyed channel to Song Xia Gang.

Luoyuan Wan is approached from the NE (26°25.0'N 119°42.0'E) and is entered through the Kemen Channel between Kemen Jiao (26°26.0'N 119°50.0'E) and Hutou Jiao 1nm further NNW. A light is exhibited on Kemen Jiao, 9m in height on a white six sided concrete tower. The navigation channel generally runs WSW for approx 8.5nm through Kemen Shuidao, which is deep and about 1nm wide between a steep sloped shoreline, and passing SSW of Dan Yu, two islets 20m high and almost joined to eachother, located in mid channel 2.5nm within the channel entrance. There are overfalls occurring off their E end. Xiadan Yu, the E islet, is marked by a white six sided concrete tower, displaying a light 10m high. Xiaohuang Jiao, a group of drying rocks is marked by an isolated danger light (13m high) and is located on the NW shore of the channel, 1nm SW of Hutou Jiao. The inner end of Kemen Shuidao, Luoyuan Wan, opens out into a large shallow basin, much of which dries out. The channel then divides, part of it leading NE of the two islets, Gang Yu (26°24.2'N 119°45.2'E) and Niao Yu, 0.6nm NW. The shoreline can then be followed to an anchoreage. Gang Yu has a light on a six sided concrete tower, 10m in height. The other part of the channel leads to the S end of the basin where several islets lie at the edge on an area enclosed by sea walls.

Port limits

The E boundary of the port is a line joining the E extremity of Niuton Shan (26°14.0'N 119°40.0'E), the E side of Chuanshi Dao (26°08.0'N 119°40.0'E) and Shafeng Jiao (26°02.0'N 119°42.0'E).

Traffic schemes and VTS

All vessels should use Fuzhou VTS.

Fuzhou Maritime Safety Administration of the People's Republic of China (Fuzhou Maritime Safety Administration) is the maritime administration authority of Fuzhou Port, responsible for water traffic safety supervision and administration of Fuzhou Port, preventing the port from vessel pollution, and ensuring safe navigation.

The sub branches include: Majiang Marine Affairs Office, Taijiang Marine Affairs Office, Guantou Marine Affairs Office, Luoyuan Marine Affairs Office, Songxia Harbour Marine Affairs Office, Fuqing Marine Affairs Office, and Pingtan Marine Affairs Office.

Anchorages

The Minjiang River has seven main anchorage areas in an area of mud with good holding.

At the outer end of the Minjiang Estuary there is an anchorage at Qixingjiao for vessels awaiting high tide.

In the Minjiang Estuary Inner Harbour there are two quarantine anchorages at Wuzhou, two waiting anchorages off Guantou, two waiting anchorages off Tingjiang and one waiting anchorage each off Yingqian, Mahangzhou and the Luoxing Tower.

Jiang Yin Port: Vessels may anchor in the vicinity of the pilot boarding position (25°16.0'N 119°41.0'E) or to the side of the channels to the port.

Song Xia Port Outer Anchorages: Larger vessels should use the Large Vessel Waiting Anchorage at 25°47.2'N 119°49.0'E, where the max depth is approx 21m. There is also an anchorage at Dongluo (25°44.3'N 119°40.4'E), in mud and sand, where vessels should anchor for quarantine or meet the pilot for boarding. Depths range from 12.0-14.0m. Considerable swell may be experienced during strong winds.

Luoyuan Wan is a large sheltered bay approx 9nm long and 7.5nm wide, offering good shelter, especially during typhoons. Reportedly, vessels may anchor 1.25nm E of Kemen Jiao, in a radius of approx 700m, in depths greater than 20.0m. There is also an anchorage approx 1.75nm within the N arm of the channel in depths from 7.3m to 9.1m. Smaller vessels can anchor in this channel within 4nm NW of this position in depths of no less than 7.3m.

Restrictions

Fuzhou Port has maximum LOA 180m. Vessels with greater LOA can be accepted, subject to approval from Port Authority.

Bridges: The max airdraught under Minjiang and Jiefang bridges to reach Hong Shan Oil berths is 47m.

Quinzhou Bridge, a road bridge spans the river at parallel of 25°59.3'N, with a vertical clearance (reported) of about 43m.

Fuzhou-Quanzhou Bridge spans Wulong Jiang at 25°57.7'N 119°25.4'E and a second bridge and overhead cables are located 0.7nm upriver. No details available of vertical clearances. There are a number of bridges crossing the Min Jiang in this area and in the Taijiang port area.

Overhead Cables: Span the river W of Jinpai Men and S of Min'an Men with vertical clearances of 54m as far as Mawei. In the Taijiang area, an overhead cable crosses the river with a vertical clearance of 35m.

Songxia Port Controlling Depth: The least charted depth in the channel on the alignment of leading marks is 5.8m, over a bank, 0.5nm SE of Ren Yu Light (25°42.1'N 119°37.4'E). There is another bank, depths between 5.5m and 8.8m, crossing the channel approx 0.3nm ENE. The minimum mid channel depth in the approaches to Songxia Niutou Wan Terminal is 11.8m.

Luoyuan Wan: Overfalls occur off Kemen Tou (26°25.5'N 119°48.8'E), a prominent headland on the S side of Kemen Shuidao, the entrance channel, and the E end of Dan Yu, two islets mid channel.

Caution should be taken as numerous fish, weirs, traps and stakes exist in the Fuzhou area.

Tugs

There are 24 tugs available. Max 3,154hp.

Mooring

Chang'an Mooring Buoys: Nos 2 and 3 (max 10,000t), Nos 6, 7 and 8 (max 30,000t).

Tingjiang Mooring Buoys: Nos 1 to 4 (max 10,000t).

Charts and publications

BA 1754, 2419, 2416, 2431, 2401. Admiralty Pilot NP32, NP286(6).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels entering and leaving Fuzhou port shall report to Fuzhou Maritime Safety Administration in accordance with the "Maritime Traffic Safety Law of China" and "Port Law of China." After receiving the report, Fuzhou Maritime Safety Administration will notify Fuzhou Municipal Port Authority of the vessel's intentions.

ETA to be sent to Fuzhou CRS 48 hours in advance and confirmed 24 and 12 hours prior to vessel's arrival. Vessels for Fuzhou International Container Terminal should advise ETA 24 hours prior to arrival, and confirm at least 3 hours prior to arrival at the pilot station. The ETA message should include the time and date of the vessel's arrival and salt/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.

Vessels wishing to enter the Minjiang Estuary Inner Harbour Area must report their position to Fuzhou Maritime Safety Administration, using VHF12 via Fuzhou Radio station, when passing the line formed between Bajiaowei (26°06.58'N 119°40.11'E) and the cape of Baiyun Mountain (26°05.33'N 119°38.49'E).

Vessels must wait for authority to proceed before entering the following areas: Jiangyin Harbour, Songxia Harbour, Luoyuan Wan Harbour and Pingtan Island Operating Zone.

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: Fuzhou Radio monitors Ch 16; 10, 13 throughout 24 hours.

Fuzhou Maritime Safety Administration Duty Office: Tel: +86 591 8368 4018, Fax: +86 591 8398 5000.

Fuzhou Municipal Port Authority General Duty Office (Fuzhou Port Affairs Bureau): Tel: +86 591 8368 2132, Fax: +86 591 8368 3227.

All the vessels navigating or anchoring shall keep VHF Ch 16 and Ch 70 on watch. When in the port area all vessels shall use VHF Ch 06 for communication.

Fuzhou International Container Terminal, Jiang Yin: Ch 08, Pilot Ch 16. Tel: +86 591 8596 6533, +86 591 8596 6888 (PSA), Fax: +86 591 8596 6666 (PSA). Email: [email protected]. Websites: http://www.fict.cn and http://www.fict-fuzhou.com.cn.

Fuzhou Qingzhou Container Terminal (Mawei): Tel: +86 591 8368 2473 (PSA), Fax: +86 591 8398 7897 (PSA). Website: http://www.fqct-fuzhou.com.cn.

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.

Fuzhou Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau and Fuqing Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau under the Fujian Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau are mainly responsible for the supervision, inspection and quarantine as well as the sanitation treatment over imported and exported cargoes, vessels sailing on international routes, personnel and baggage at their respective harbour area.

Fuzhou Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau governs the inspection and quarantine tasks at Minjiang Estuary Inner Harbour area, Luoyuan Bay Harbour Area and Fuzhou bonded area. Fuqing Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Office governs entry-exit inspection and quarantine tasks at Jiangyin Harbour Area, Songxia Harbour Area and Pingtan Jinjing Wharf.

Customs and immigration

Mawei Customs and Fuqing Customs are supervised by Fuzhou Customs, established by the state in Fuzhou Port, and are responsible for supervision and administration over the entry and exit of Fuzhou Port. They conform with the"Customs Law of China" and other relevant laws and administrative regulations. Mawei Customs is mainly in charge of Minjiang Estuary Inner Harbour Area and Luoyuan Wan Harbour Area. Fuqing Customs is mainly in charge of Jiangyin Harbor Area, Songxia Harbour Area, and Pingtan Jinjing Wharf.

Fuzhou Frontier Defence Inspection Station and Fuqing Frontier Defence Inspection Station are inspection authorities established by the state in Fuzhou Port, implementing the frontier defence inspection for travellers at the border and their baggage, vehicles and cargo in accordance with the law. They also monitor the entry and exit of vehicles at the border and provide security for a defined area of the port. Fuzhou Frontier Defence Inspection Station is mainly in charge of the inner harbour area of Minjiang Estuary and Luoyuan Bay Harbour Area. Fuqing Inspection Station is mainly in charge of Jiangyin Harbour Area, Songxia Harbour Area, Yuanhong Wharf and Pingtan Jinjing Wharf.

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

Yards available for ship building and repair work.

Bunkers, water and stores

All available at berth and at anchor.

Crew change

Feasible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Fuzhou.

Nearest railway: Fuzhou.

Working hours

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

Where it is

Fuzhou port area is located on the SE coast of China (mainland), with seven main wharf areas leading 23km upriver, three coastal port areas of Jiang Yin, Song Xia and Luoyuan,135km apart, and port facilities on the island of Pingtan.

The port

There are significant plans by the regional Fujian government for the reorganisation of the port area.

Mawai is the main port district on the Minjiang River for international shipping and also has a naval dockyard and fishing harbour.

The Jiang Yin Port area includes Fuzhou International Container Terminal (FICT) which comprises five berths taking vessels up to 50,000DWT. To the NE of this is the new Guodian Fuzhou Coal Power Plant, supplied by a conveyor jetty stretching over 1.0nm out to sea.

Song Xia Port has two main terminal areas: Yuanhong Terminal (aka Song Xia Gang) and Niutou Wan (aka Song Xia Wharf Operation Area), approx 5nm NNE. These wharves mainly deal with iron ore from Australia, coal, domestic grains, feed, wheat, edible oils and minerals.

Luoyuan Bay (Luoyuan Wan) is a large, enclosed bay, 7.5nm across, accommodating several terminal areas including Jitou to the NW of the Bay, Shiqi and Bili to the NE and Kemen on the S shore. The Bay mainly deals with general cargo, coal, grain, steel, fertilisers, sand, and containers. Several new factory areas have been completed, are undergoing construction or are in planning stages resulting in an increase of vessel traffic.

Pingtan Island, to the E, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with tourism as its main economic activity. Cruise liners are an important source of income. At the end of 2010 a bridge was opened over the Haitan Strait linked to the mainland but several port development projects are still planned.

Traffic

Approx 340,000,000t of cargo, 3,800,000TEUs and 163,000 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Fuzhou?

Pilot station for Songxia at position 25°44'N 119°40'E.

What time zone is Fuzhou in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Fuzhou?

The deepest berth listed is at Luoyuan Bay Kemen Port: 23.02 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Fuzhou?

1018-1025.

Which load line zone is Fuzhou in?

Summer.

Who carries out Port State Control at Fuzhou?

Port State Control at Fuzhou: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Fuzhou?

The UN/LOCODE of Fuzhou is CNFZG.

What crews who called at Fuzhou 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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