Decree No. 21/2012/ND-CP dated March 21, 2012 of the Government on management of seaports and navigable channels

MARITIME PILOTAGE SERVICE IS OBLIGED TO 1.000 GT VIETNAMESE VESSELS

On March 21, 2012, the Government promulgated the Decree No. 21/2012/ND-CP on management of seaports and navigable channels.

Under this Decree, from June 01, 2012, Vietnamese vessels carrying passengers, oil, liquefied gas or chemical buckets and of a gross tonnage of 1,000 GT or more are obliged to use the maritime pilotage service when entering or departing from seaports or moving within Vietnamese seaport waters.

The pilotage organization shall work out daily steering plans based on the requests for the pilotage service. A daily steering plan contains the following details: name, flag state, fundamental technical specifications of vessel, anchorage or berthing position, time for the pilot to embark the vessel, expected wharf or anchorage or berthing position, name of the pilot assigned to steer the vessel and other necessary contents.

At the same time, Before 16:00 hours every day, the pilotage organization must send the steering plan for the subsequent day to the port authority for working out a plan for shifting of vessels to enter, depart from or transit through the port or move within the port waters. In case of a change or another request arises, such change or request must be promptly notified to the port authority for prompt adjustment of the daily shifting plan.