Haiphong

1. Hai Phong pilot boarding place Pilot boards20°39.8′N 106°52.0′E
2. Vùng đón trả hoa tiêu HICT (Lạch Huyện) Pilot boards20°37.0′N 106°55.0′E
3. Vùng đón trả hoa tiêu Hải Phòng (A1–A4) Pilot boards20°39.6′N 107°00.1′E

Size limits

LOA 366.89, beam 51m, draught 9.0m, 144,572DWT.

Water density

1000.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 3.9m. Off the entrance to Cua Nam Trieu tidal streams set NE on a rising tide and SSW on a falling tide.

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

Approach

New port facilities are being constructed East of the Main Harbour area, in deeper water at Cat Hai. Vessels are asked to check for new navigation markers, before making approach to these locations, and be aware of extra tug and barge traffic crossing approach channels.

The channel depth from the pilot boarding position to Dinh Vu Port area is min 7.3m, from Dihn Vu to the main port area is min 5.5m.

Tan Cang: Has a turning basin with a diameter of 200m.

Haiphong International Container Terminal (new): Located approx 14km South East of Haiphong Main Harbour at Cat Hai island. Has a turning basin, 660m in diameter, 14m deep and a new access Channel starts approximately at red and white Safe Water Mark HPO (position 20°40.95N 106°59.10E) [Light sequence Mo(A).W.6s]. This course is followed using 343°(163°) for approx 2nm to between Red Passage Marker HP4 [Fl(1).R.3s] and Green Passage Marker HP3 [Fl(1).G.3s]. Here the channel turns North East on a bearing of 324°(144°) for approx 6nm.

Port limits

The port of Haiphong includes Vinh Ha Long (20°54'N 107°04'E) with Hon Gai.

Anchorages

Good anchorage may be found inside the port.

Ninh Tiep: Four anchorage points NT1 to NT4, with max draught 7.0m.

Bach Dang: Nine anchorage points BD5 to BD13, with max draught 6.0m.

Ha Long: Has five anchorage points in the roadstead for vessels up to max draught 11m and 50,00DWT, loading/unloading.

Quarantine Anchorage: For vessels of >= 3,000DWT, limited by semi-circle southward having radius of 2nm and centred on position 20°40.0'N 106°51.0'E.

Restrictions

When navigating in the channel leading through Cua Nam Trieu and to Haiphong the following regulations apply:

During poor visibility the captain of the port should be notified of the time of departure from No 0 Lightbuoy, and the vessel's speed.

Vessels entering with the flood have priority in the channel. In Dinh Vu (Canal Maritime), when two vessels are approaching one another in opposite directions, the one from seaward must wait and if necessary anchor until the one from Haiphong has passed through.

Vessels with a draught of 3.0m or less must navigate outside the channel, NE of the line of starboard hand lightbuoys.

Vessels must not cross ahead of one another between No 8 and No 12 Lightbuoys.

When dredgers are at work, a vessel's whistle must be sounded when approaching. A dredger must not be passed until she has displayed the signal "Not Under Control" at half mast, indicating that the channel is clear.

Tugs

There are 9 tugs available, 305hp-3,200hp. Compulsory for vessels >=80.0m LOA.

Charts and publications

BA 1965, 3875, 3881, 3882, 3888, 3889, 3990. Admiralty Pilot NP30, NP286(6).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

In the 4 hours prior to arrival message, the Master has to declare exact arrival time and health situation of crew members and passengers. Must also declare sickness or mortality onboard, if any.

Owners or charters should also advise other relevant cargo related information to the vessel's nominated agent before arrival.

Communications

Radio: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) coast radio station can be used for long range communications. Communication is also possible via Inmarsat.

VHF: Pilots and Port: Ch 16, 09 and 12.

Port Authority: Tel: +84 31 3859924, Fax: +84 31 3859973, email: [email protected].

Notice of readiness

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

Documents

There are 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 Certificates and Exemption Certificates may be renewed.

At the request of Owner/Agent, the Department of Health will provide "provisional pratique'', for vessels calling directly from abroad to any Indonesian port which is not classified as a quarantine port, provided that health conditions on board comply with the required health conditions. This "provisional pratique'' however does not relieve the vessel from quarantine measures, and it is not to be construed as "free pratique''. Accordingly vessels enjoying "provisional pratique'' are still required to fly the quarantine flag.

Customs and immigration

Customs: A Customs officer and a police officer will board the vessel with the pilot and accompany the vessel to Haiphong. 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/passenger 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.

Immigration: Vessels arriving from abroad with passengers must fly flag N. Masters should supply the boarding Immigration Officer with lists of disembarking, transhipping and through passengers. No person is allowed on board until the vessel has been examined and the flag N taken down. Passengers must be in possession of a valid visitor's entry or transit visa. Those not having a visa may, at the discretion of the Immigration Officer, obtain a landing permit. Members of the crew, including the Master, must appear in the Articles, in order to obtain shore permits.

Flags

Vietnam regulations require vessels entering a Vietnamese port to display the Vietnamese 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 US$100-200.

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.

When vessels are loading/discharging flammable or explosive cargo, a fire fighting vehicle should be on standby. The Master is liable for costs.

Oil tankers of 500GT or more are strictly prohibited from carrying out repairs to their main engine or anchoring/steering gear while waiting at berths for cargo handling.

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

Available for vessels up to 16,000DWT. Deck and engine repairs can be performed on request.

Dry docks

Slipways, dry and floating docks available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at berth and anchorage.

Bunkering: Fuel oil and diesel available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Vinmec Hai Phong International hospital (5km).

Crew change

Arranged through agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Noibai International (130km).

Nearest railway: Ga Hai Phong Railway Station (2km).

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours (3 shifts).

Where it is

Haiphong is located on the S side of the River Cam, a mouth of Song Thai Binh, 100km SE of Hanoi. The sub port of Dinh Vu is 8km downstream of Haiphong.

The port

Haiphong is a natural harbour, handles general cargo, dry bulk, Ro-Ro, liquid cargo and LPG.

Traffic

Approx 37,580,000t of cargo, 8,200,000TEU and 8,200 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Haiphong?

The pilot boards at Hai Phong pilot boarding place, 20°39.8′N 106°52.0′E. Haiphong has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Haiphong in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Haiphong?

The deepest berth listed is at Nam Hai Dinh Vu Port: 11.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Haiphong?

1000.

Which load line zone is Haiphong 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 Haiphong?

Port State Control at Haiphong: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Haiphong?

The UN/LOCODE of Haiphong is VNHPH.

What crews who called at Haiphong 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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