Zhongshan

Size limits

Draught 7.6m, 7974DWT.

Load line zone

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

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

Anchorages

There are three achorages, one of which is Tongxingwei Anchorage for dangerous cargo.

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, 72, 48 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.

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 Ship Sanitation Control 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 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.

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

Bunkers, water and stores

Freshwater: Available.

Working hours

The port works throughout 24 hours including festivals and holidays. One shift from 0800-1600hrs.

Where it is

Zhongshan is an open port located in the province of Guangdong, on the Pearl River. The port is situated in an industrial park, and has facilities for cargo vessels up to 5,000t, as well as passenger traffic.

The port

The city of Zhongshan has benefited from increased development in recent years and this has been reflected in the port, which has grown in size in increased freight and passenger facilities.

Traffic

Approx 19,000,000t of cargo and 1,300,000TEU handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Zhongshan?

The pilot anchorage is 22°25.5'N 113°42.6'E.

What time zone is Zhongshan in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Zhongshan?

The deepest berth listed is at Guang Tai Fa Chemical: 7.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

Which load line zone is Zhongshan 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 Zhongshan?

Port State Control at Zhongshan: Tokyo MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Zhongshan?

The UN/LOCODE of Zhongshan is CNZSN.

What crews who called at Zhongshan 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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