RECENTLY, the 200,000-ton vessel MSC INGY moored at Berth 13 of the Chiwan container terminal, and the container ship’s successful port call marked the normal operation of the maiden voyage for night navigation of a 200,000-ton vessel in Shenzhen’s western port area.

The successful anchoring of MSC INGY also heralds that the city’s western port area is capable of providing all-weather navigation services.

Due to the height restrictions of the Tsing Ma Bridge in Hong Kong, large vessels ranging from 150,000 to 200,000 tons can only use the Tonggu Channel to enter and exit Shenzhen’s western port area.

In the first half of 2023, the proportion of vessels using the Tonggu Channel to come in and out of the western port area was 7%, accounting for 15% of the western port area’s total throughput.

Shipping routes passing through the Tonggu Channel are key for Shenzhen’s port areas, and demand is becoming increasingly urgent for regular night navigation from 200,000-ton vessels in the western port area.

On June 27, the trial night voyage of a 200,000-ton vessel via the Tonggu Channel was successful. Based on this trial and after extensive discussions and consultations, authorities finally decided to implement regular night navigation for 200,000-ton vessels.

The implementation of regular night navigation for 200,000-ton vessels in the western port area provides a solid foundation and favorable conditions for stabilizing and expanding the operation of large container liner services, Shenzhen Economy Daily quoted unnamed execs from local shipping companies as saying yesterday.

It effectively helps shipping companies reduce operating costs, improve energy efficiency and enhance the international competitiveness of Shenzhen’s shipping firms, the execs told the newspaper.

The normalization of night navigation for 200,000-ton vessels through the Tonggu Channel will effectively reduce the berthing time of large vessels, improve berth turnover efficiency and increase container throughput in the western port area, according to China Merchants Port (South China) Management Center. (Yang Yunfei)