Nghe Tinh

Size limits

LOA 183m, beam 30m, draught 6.0m, 38,863DWT.

Water density

1000.

Load line zone

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

Tides

HW: 2.8m

LW: 0.0m

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

Approach

Ben Thuy: The Song Ca River has Cua Hoi at its mouth and a bar, composed of hard sand, situated 0.7 to 1.7nm ENE of the entrance. The length of the river channel is 27km, min width 30m, min depth 2.5m. Vessels with draught up to 4.5m may cross the bar, this should not be attempted without a pilot.

Cua Lo: Length of channel 4km, min width 80m, min depth 5.5m.

Anchorages

Outer anchorage: Larger vessels for transhipment may anchor at Hon Ngu, in depths of 14m. During the NE monsoon, small vessels may obtain shelter under the SW side of Hon Matt.

Small vessels unable to enter the Cua Hoi may obtain good anchorage, sheltered from the NE winds, under the SW side of Hon Niem, in depths of 8.0m.

Within the river, there is a good anchorage off Ben Thuy, in depths of 8.0m. Vessels drawing 3.0m may anchor 100m off the outer end of the piers at Ben Thuy.

Restrictions

Ben Thuy is only accessible to vessels with max LOA 100m and draught of 4.5m. Larger sized vessels must be loaded/discharged at anchorage, weather permitting (monsoon Nov to April).

Tugs

Three tugs are available, 1 x 600hp and 2 x 150hp.

Charts and publications

BA 3989. Pilot NP30, NP286(6).

Communications

Radio: Communication is possible via Inmarsat.

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

VHF: Port: Ch 16 and 02.

Notice of readiness

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

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.

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, and 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, and 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 US$100-200.

Notices and regulations

The main/emergency radio transmitter and direction finder will be sealed when the vessel is in port. Only communications via email are therefore possible, or 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

Where it is

The port area is located near the city of Vinh, 12nm up the Song Ca River, approx 150nm S of Hanoi in the Gulf of Tonkin.

The port

Nghe Tinh port is known as a river port consisting of Ben Thuy and Xuan Hai areas. Ben Thuy involved in shipbuilding and repair, with tro cargo handling berths. Xuan Hai has one quay handling general cargo. Hon Ngu Transshipment Area handles deep-draft vessels.

Traffic

Approx 4,000,000t of cargo,92,000TEU and 900 vessels, handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Nghe Tinh?

Pilotage is available at 24 hours notice.

What time zone is Nghe Tinh in?

Local time at Nghe Tinh is UTC+7. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Nghe Tinh?

The deepest berth listed is at Cuo Lo Terminal: 6.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Nghe Tinh?

1000.

Which load line zone is Nghe Tinh 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 Nghe Tinh?

Port State Control at Nghe Tinh: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Nghe Tinh?

The UN/LOCODE of Nghe Tinh is VNNGT.

What crews who called at Nghe Tinh 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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