On the afternoon of August 19th, under the safety supervision of Nantong Maritime Safety Administration, the vessel "Sola Glory" carrying nearly 100,000 tons of iron ore safely berthed at Nantong Rugao Zhonglin Port Terminal. This marks the 700th CAPE-type vessel to safely berth at Nantong Rugao Port since its opening.
CAPE-type vessels, also known as Cape of Good Hope vessels, are unable to transit through the Suez Canal due to size restrictions and must navigate around the Cape of Good Hope, hence their name. These vessels typically measure 250-300 meters in length with large displacement and significant inertia. Due to their massive tonnage and volume, they impose high requirements on port infrastructure and have historically been a key focus of maritime safety supervision.
From the first CAPE-type vessel "Anna Qi Pride" on July 21, 2011, to the 700th vessel "Sola Glory" berthing at Rugao Port, Nantong Maritime Safety Administration has consistently provided maintenance and safety support for these "giant" vessels. Through early intervention, comprehensive monitoring of vessel dynamics, smooth information sharing channels, and timely information reporting, the administration ensures safety.
Following "one ship, one discussion" requirements, real-time tracking of vessel berthing and unberthing operations, pilotage schedules, and exceptional circumstances is conducted. Maritime patrol boats are arranged in advance for on-site traffic organization, strengthening rational guidance and scientific management of vessel traffic at terminal frontage.
The administration fully leverages the collaborative coordination between Rugao Quick Response Center and Port Control Center, comprehensively utilizing smart maritime systems, drones, CCTV, and other information technologies to track the navigation status of arriving CAPE-type vessels in real-time. This creates favorable navigation conditions for vessel berthing, helping achieve "direct entry and berthing, direct departure."
Direct berthing of CAPE-type vessels at riverside terminals can significantly reduce transshipment logistics costs. It is estimated that each CAPE-type vessel's port call can save port enterprises over one million yuan in costs. Additionally, this effectively reduces pollutant emissions from vessels during cargo transshipment between river and sea transportation, achieving a "win-win" situation for both economic and environmental benefits.
Beyond direct economic benefits, the entry of ultra-large vessels including CAPE-type ships has driven the development of related industries such as warehousing, transportation, and agency services, promoting a virtuous cycle of port economy. The indirect economic benefits are countless.
Moving forward, Nantong Maritime Safety Administration will further optimize measures, supervising terminals, agents, and ship operators to fulfill their respective duties and strictly implement safety requirements for equipment, navigation, and berthing operations to ensure vessel safety during entry, exit, and port stay.
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