China News Service, Guangzhou, March 30 (Guo Jun and Zhu Yuanzhi) According to news from the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration on the 30th, recently, the bureau took the lead in organizing 15 relevant units including the Guangdong Provincial Department of Transportation and China Classification Society Guangzhou Branch to hold a special seminar and unanimously The "Temporary Solution for Cargo Ships Navigating the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge River-Sea Bridge Channel in the Inland A-Class Navigation Zone" (hereinafter referred to as the "Temporary Solution") was adopted. The "Temporary Solution" will be officially implemented on April 1, 2024. The implementation of the "Temporary Solution" is of great significance to ensuring the smooth flow of shipping logistics in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao and the safety of the main body and waters of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.
Maritime law enforcement officers maintain navigation order in the waters of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge area. Photo courtesy of Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge is the first super-large cross-sea transportation project jointly constructed by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao under the "one country, two systems". The waters of the Pearl River Estuary where it is located are a key area for national water traffic safety supervision. There are about 4,000 ship traffic every day, and every year The ship traffic is about 1.5 million, among which the river-sea bridge channel is the only way for inland river ships to navigate the Pearl River Estuary.
The "Navigation Area Division Rules (2021)" stipulates that the water area of the Pearl River Estuary no more than 5 kilometers away from the land bank is a Class A navigation area. Before the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge was built, cargo ships in the inland river A-class navigation area sailed in accordance with regulations in this area, forming a customary route. After the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge was completed and opened to traffic, due to factors such as currents and geological coasts, the river-sea bridge channel was moved 1 kilometer eastward from the original customary route, that is, the closest point to the land shore is 6 kilometers, exceeding the limits of the "Navigation Area Division Rules (2021)" range. If current regulations are followed, river vessels that have sailed in this area for many years will not be able to pass through the river and sea bridge channels.
In order to actively support the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, ensure the smooth transportation of key livelihood supplies in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, and reduce the operating costs of shipping companies, under the leadership of the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Maritime Safety Bureau uses VTS dedicated stations, supervision and command systems, and video Monitoring systems and other information-based means are used to ensure the stability of water traffic safety in the waters of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and a 24-hour duty model is adopted to ensure the safe navigation of ships in Class A navigation areas of inland rivers through the river and sea bridge channels.
In response to the problem of cargo ships sailing through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in the A-level inland navigation area, the "Interim Solution" clarifies the overall idea of "step-by-step implementation and steady advancement", including long-term measures and temporary measures.
Long-term measures are: actively promote the research work on demarcating river and sea bridge channel waters as "equivalent to Class A navigation area", and during this period, carry out publicity and guidance to shipping companies through multiple channels, and regulate inland river ships passing through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge water areas; promote the waterway management department to carry out regular dredging and maintenance of river and sea bridge channels; jointly promote the construction of bridge anti-ship collision warning and blocking projects with the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Authority, and make every effort to ensure the continued stability of the safety situation in the waters under the jurisdiction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.
Temporary measures are: Cargo ships in Class A navigation areas of inland rivers, provided that protective measures are installed to prevent water accumulation in the cabin due to waves or rainfall, can operate in wind conditions below Level 6 (including Level 6), with a maximum wave height not exceeding 2 meters and capable of operating When the distance is greater than 1,000 meters, sailing through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge river and sea bridge channel should not exceed 12 knots and not be less than 5 knots. At the same time, except for river and sea bridge channels and connected necessary turning waters, cargo ships in Class A navigation areas of inland rivers are not allowed to sail more than 5 kilometers from the land shore. (over)