Wuhan (CNNHN)

The port mainly handles cars, general cargo, timber, grain, ore, coal, crude oil, cement, fertilisers, steel, containers and passengers. Wuhan has embarked on a programme of port optimisation to upgrade port facilities and improve longterm operational efficiency. There will also be a substantial reduction in vessel and port emissions, improving the environment along the Yangtze and Han Rivers. Many of the port's Terminals are being closed and facilities relocated.

Summer.

The port of Wuhan is one of China (mainland) largest river ports, located on the junction of the Changjiang (Yangtze River) and Hansui River, in the Province of Hubei, 1,125km from Shanghai. The port's central location on the river means there is an extensive network of river and highway transport links. Several major shipping companies now operate cargo shuttle services running to and from Shanghai and Yangshan, using exceptionally large container barges.

LOA 139.8m, beam 26m, draught 8.0m, 16,705DWT.

Approx 140,000,000t of cargo and 2,790,000TEU handled annually.

..... Anchorage Depth (m) Notes Qingshanxia 7.0-15.0 Can accept 35,000DWT vessels; used for waiting and pilot.

Dredging will permit 5,000DWT vessels upstream of the Wuhan Yangtze Bridge and 10,000DWT vessels downstream of the bridge. The draught limitation in the channel is 4.5m with a clear height of 26m in the dry season and 8.0m with a clear height of 24m in the flood season.

BA 2947. Admiralty Pilot NP32, NP286(6).

996-998.

Compulsory. Pilot service is available during 0800-1800hrs. River Pilot boards vessel at the Baoshan Hangdao (31°26.32'N 121°19.18'E) and Harbour Pilot at Qingshanxia Pilotage anchorage.

Entry or departure after sunset is not possible. A two tiered bridge and overhead cables span the Changjiang from Hanyang to Wuchang. The vertical clearance of the railway level to zero river datum is 60m. Yangluo Suspension Bridge: The bridge, with main span of 1,280m, crosses the river close downstream from the new container terminal.

Normal winter water level above zero river datum is 30m and normal summer level above zero river datum is 42m. Max current is 5kts.

There are 21 tugs available.

Prevailing wind N'ly or E'ly in spring and summer, often S'ly in Jul-Aug. Average wind speed is 5kts. On approx 8 days annually wind speeds in excess of 30kts can be experienced. Fog: Nov is the foggiest month. In winter and spring fog often occurs in the morning and disappears by noon.

Pilots: Tel: +86 27 8276 5559, +86 27 8276 5557 (Daytime only). Vessel Traffic Service: VHF: Ch 06, 84, Callsign "Wuhan Traffic Control". See Chang Jiang Pilots and Shanghai VTS for details. 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.

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.

..... Document (and copies required). LA IM CH QI AP HM Total 1. General Declaration - 1 1 1 1 1 5 2. Cargo Declaration - - 1 1 1 1 4 3. Ship's Stores Declaration - - 1 1 1 - 3 4. Crew's Effects Declaration - 1 1 - - - 2 5. Crew List 1 2 1 1 1 1 7 6. Passenger List - 2 1 1 1 1 6 7. Maritime Declaration of Health - - - 1 - - 1 8. Last Port Clearance - - - - - 1 1 9. Ship's particulars 1 - - - - 1 2 10. Crew's passports - All - - - - All 11. Chinese Tonnage Dues Certificate - - 1 - - - 1 12. Cargo Manifest 1 - 2 - - - 3 13. Bills of Lading 1 - - - - - 1 14. Stowage Plan 1 - - - - - 1 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.

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 Baoshan 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.

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.

The Master should be aware of the following regulations when the vessel is under normal commercial operations: ..... 1. Before adjusting ballast water, lowering lifeboats, inspecting the main engine, testing/using radio or painting the outer hull, the vessel should apply to the Harbour Master in writing. 2. When taking bunkers or welding, in addition to first obtaining permission of the Harbour Master, the work must be done under the Harbour Master's supervision. 3. There must be crew available at the top of the gangway to adjust it as required. A safety net must be securely rigged under the gangway. 4. The Master must arrange for a duty officer to be available to solve any potential problems during the vessel's loading and discharging and he should liaise closely with shore personnel. 5. Whilst at anchor, a duty officer must maintain a VHF watch on the nominated channel.

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.

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.

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.