PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Yantian
Pilot
updated Mar 2024- Entrance to Tolo Channel Pilot boards22°29.5′N 114°19.8′E
Pilotage compulsory for foreign vessels is provided throughout 24 hours, "Shenzhen Pilot Station". Vessels should request pilots by calling "Yantian Port Control" on VHF Ch 16. If vessels have difficulty contacting port control or in case of language difficulty contact the Government agents on VHF Ch 11.
Pilot boards in No 5 Anchorage, or in preferred position 22°34.7'N 114°18.8'E.
The terminal service provides an "order follow up service" which includes, reconfirming with pilots to ensure that they have received the correct instructions from the carriers and arranging transportation for the pilots to and from vessels.
Note - Compulsory pilotage will also now be required for dry cargo and passenger vessels over 3,000GT and tankers of 1,000GT transiting eastern waters (in particular, Mirs Bay) to and from the area of Yantian Container Terminals and Shenzhen Dapeng LNG Terminals, according to a Hong Kong Government Ordinance. This is due to increased vessel traffic resulting in additional navigation risk, and the establishment of three new LNG facilities at East Shenzhen.
Key data
updated Mar 2025Size limits
LOA 400m, beam 61.514m, draught 14m, 281,456DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Summer.
Tides
Max range 2.72m, average range 1.07m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yantian International Container Terminal | — | 400 m | 16 |
| Yantian West Port | — | 347 m | 7 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Mar 2025Approach
The approach channel from southern Dapengjao to Buoy No 2 is approx 9nm, with depths from 16-20m. The No 2 Fairway Buoy is situated at 22°33.6'N 114°16.8'E, entry channel to berths is length 1,100m, width 200m, least depth 16.0m to 17.4m. The max permitted draught is 14.5m.
Traffic schemes and VTS
Tai Pang Wan (Mirs Bay) (22°31'N 114°25'E) is covered by the Hong Kong Vessel Traffic Service and there are reporting points charted within the bay for vessels arriving for or departing from the Tai Pang Wan area.
Anchorages
A dangerous goods anchorage lies in the approximate centre of Da Peng Bay (22°32'N 114°23'E).
Restrictions
There are considerable numbers of fishing boats in the entrance to Mirs Bay, especially at night when approach should be made with caution.
Tugs
12 tugs are available, 2 x 5,000hp, 7 x 4,000hp, 1 x 3,600hp, 2 x 3,400hp.
Charts and publications
BA 4128, 3026, 1962, 1968. Admiralty Pilot NP30, NP286(6).
Reporting before arrival
updated Mar 2024ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessel's ETA should be sent 7 days before arrival and updated 24 hours prior to arrival. Hong Kong Mardep must also be advised as part of Mirs Bay is under their control.
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 available direct to agents.
Shenzhen VTC: Ch 74, 68.
Agents: Ch 16,11, call 'Penavico Yantian', available 24 hours.
Shenzhen Pilot contacts:
Eastern Area: VHF Ch 8.
Western Area: VHF CH 6, 13 and 73.
Head office:
Telephone: +86 755 83797166, Fax: +86 755 83797206, Email: [email protected], Website: www.szpilot.com
Yantian Port Authority contacts:
Call sign: Yantian Port Control
VHF: Ch 10 and 16
Tel: +86 755 2529 0921, Fax: +86 755 2529 0931.
Standard messages
The vessel's agent will send instructions to inbound 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
Port clearance details are handled by vessel's agent.
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 and Ship Sanitation 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 liquor 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 Effects 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.
Notices and regulations
Vessels should report their passage through local waters to Hong Kong Marine Department.
Inspections
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
Port services
updated Mar 2025Repairs
Repair and maintenance services are provided.
Dry docks
There are no drydock facilities available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Bunkering: Arranged by agent. LNG bunkering is available.
Freshwater: Can be supplied by local agent.
Stores: Can be supplied by local agent to terminals only, cannot be supplied at anchorages.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Yantian District People's Hospital, 2km.
Crew change
Subject to arrangement by ship's agent.
Transport
Nearest airport: Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, 32km.
Nearest railway: Shenzhen Railway Station, 17km.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Yantian
updated Mar 2025Where it is
The port of Yantian is located on the E side of the Shenzhen special economic zone in Da Peng Bay (previously Mirs Bay).
The port
Yantian, the first natural deep water port in Southern China, features a quayside depth of 17.6m, allowing the port to accommodate the largest container vessels. The port is equipped with advanced port facilities and is served by a sophisticated rail and road network.
Traffic
Approx 14,000,000TEU handled annually.
Questions about Yantian
Where does the pilot board at Yantian?
The pilot boards at Entrance to Tolo Channel, 22°29.5′N 114°19.8′E.
What time zone is Yantian in?
Local time at Yantian is UTC+8. No summer time.
What is the water density at Yantian?
1025.
Which load line zone is Yantian in?
Summer.
Who carries out Port State Control at Yantian?
Port State Control at Yantian: Tokyo MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Yantian?
The UN/LOCODE of Yantian is CNYTN.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Yantian 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.