Layout of the Port of Tianjin#Dongjiang Port Area

File:Port of Tianjin Beijiang Port Area Map.svg

Beijiang Port Area ({{zh|s=北疆港区|p=běijiāng gǎngqū|l=Northern Border Port Area}}) includes the original areas of the Tanggu New Port, plus new facilities built on reclaimed land north of the Main Basin. It covers approximately 36.8 km², has 18.9 km of coastline, and contains mostly container and general cargo terminals. It is also the main service and administration area of the port, including the Tianjin Port Container Logistics Center, the Tianjin Port Trade and Shipping Service Area, and the 7 km² Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone

File:Tianjin Port Nanjiang Port Area Map.svg

The Nanjiang Area ({{zh|s=南疆港区|p=nánjiāng gǎngqū|l=Southern Border Port Area}}) lies on an artificial island 16 km long (east to west) by 1.3–2 km wide (north to south), with an area of approximately 26 km². Shoreline is 14.2 km long on the north side(opening to the Main Channel), and 12 km on the south side (opening to the Dagusha Channel). This port area contains the bulk cargo terminals, in particular the large oil, ore and coal terminals.

File:Port of Tianjin's Dongjiang Port Area Map.svg

Dongjiang Port Area ({{zh|s=东疆港区|p=dōngjiāng gǎngqū|l=East Border Port Area}}) lies on an artificial peninsula 10 km long and 3 km wide to the northeast of the main basin, and has an approximate area of 33 km². This is the newest part of Tianjin Xingang, and is still in development. It includes a new container terminal, a regional logistics center, and a 10 km² bonded port area (the Dongjiang Bonded Port).

The Dongjiang Port Area is being developed into a comprehensive complex with three parallel zones: the terminal area; a logistic processing zone associated with the bonded port; and a comprehensive service zone, which will include office space, residential space, and shopping and leisure facilities. The leisure area will be centered on the cruiser terminal and yachting piers, and around an artificial beach (the Dongjiang Bay Scenic Area), built with sand imported from Fujian and including a variety of entertainment facilities (including a dragon boat pier).

File:HaiheFirstBendAfternoon.jpg

The Haihe Port Area ({{zh|s=海河港区|p=hǎihé gǎngqū}}) operates all river docks from the Xingang Shipping Lock up to the Haihe Second Tidal Barrier, a distance of 39.5 km. Once the core of the Tanggu port, the lower Haihe river area has seen diminishing number of wharves as riverfront real estate has been reassigned for development. In 2003, the Haihe Port Area had 7,100 m of quayside, 83 berths, 56 production berths dealing with all sorts of cargo including containers.{{cite journal|url=http://d.wanfangdata.com.cn/periodical_zggk200308020.aspx |title=天津港第三港埠公司 |publisher=中國港口 (China Ports) |journal=China Ports |year=2003 |issue=8 |access-date=2012-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222212455/http://d.wanfangdata.com.cn/periodical_zggk200308020.aspx |archive-date=2014-02-22}} The start of the work on the new Tanggu CBD, however, meant the demolition of most facilities in the Xiangguowan, Yujiapu and Lanjingdao peninsulas, including the large Third Stevedoring Company terminal in Yujiapu, which closed in 2009.

File:Tianjin Port Haihe Port Area Map.svg

This wind-down of activity is still continuing, and on January 1, 2012, the Haihe will be downgraded from a category I waterway into a category IV, limited to vessels under 1,000 DWT and 10 m of air draft (which will permit the extensive bridge construction planned for the lower Haihe).{{cite web | url=http://news.enorth.com.cn/system/2011/12/12/008296706.shtml | title=海河下游内河航运将弱化 专家称不影响旅游开发 | publisher=E-North News Network | date=2011-12-12 | accessdate=2012-03-10 | archive-date=2012-04-18 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418024843/http://news.enorth.com.cn/system/2011/12/12/008296706.shtml | url-status=live }} This change will effectively close the river to seagoing vessels, and limit Haihe traffic to barges. Nevertheless, industrial expansion further up the river will lead to a recovery in the number of available berths. Current plans call for six different production areas, with an area of 9.7 km² and a quayside length of 21 km.{{cite web|url= http://www.tjmsa.gov.cn/go/AttachmentDownload.aspx?id=%7B91860999-bd65-43a3-a2c6-18a204604efb%7D |title=天津市防治船舶溢油污染海洋环境应急能力建设专项规划编制说明|publisher=Tianjin MSA |date=2011 |accessdate=2012-02-01}}{{dead link|date=December 2015}}

The Beitang Port Area ({{zh|s=北塘港区|p=běitáng gǎngqū}}) lies on both sides of the Beitangkou estuary. At present it is limited to several small barge wharves, but it is planned to expand as part of the development of the Binhai Tourism Area. There are two service wharves planned, 230 m and 150 m in length, plus a large environmental monitoring base, passenger terminal, construction materials wharves and yachting marina. The Beitang Fishing Harbor is directly north, inside the river estuary.

File:Tianjin Port Dagukou Port Area Map.svg

The Dagukou Port Area ({{zh|s=大沽口港区|p=dàgūkǒu gǎngqū}}) lies on the southern side of the Haihe river mouth. It is composed of the wharves of the Tianjin Lingang Harbor Economic Zone ({{zh|s=天津临港经济区|p=tiānjīn língǎng jīngjìqū}}), which is a large industrial area being constructed on reclaimed land. The Dagukou port area is expanding fast, and it is expected to reach a capacity of 100 Mt per year by 2015. Further up the Haihe estuary is the Donggu Fishing Port, which still{{when|date=January 2025}} moors 400 (mostly small) fishing boats.{{cn|reason=Cited link was dead, even in archival versions.|date=January 2025}}

The Tianjin Xingang Fairway is divided into the Main Shipping Channel, the Chuanzhadong Channel, and the Northern Branch Channel. The Dagusha Channel and the Haihe river channel are separate fairways with slightly different regulations.

1. The Main shipping channel (新港主航道) is 39.5 km long. The channel extends from the gate line of the VTS control area (20 nautical miles (37 km) from the VTS control tower), up to the start of the Chuanzhadong Channel.Since 2008, the Main Channel incorporates the old "Dengtabei Channel" that still appears in older charts as extending from the Dagu Lighthouse to safe water Since November 2010, the Main Channel has been dredged to a depth of −19.5 m and a bottom width of 420 m, making it capable of handling two-way 250,000 DWT traffic, and to accept 300,000 DWT ships at high tide. There are two service channels (100 m wide and 9 m deep) at each side of the main channel, which allow ships under 10,000 DWT (i.e. service craft, barges and coastal ships) to transit without interference from the big ships. The breakwater mouth was expanded to 1,100 m wide in 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.zhoushan.cn/gkcb/ghjs/201011/t20101112_462675.htm |title=天津港航道拓宽四期工程完工 |publisher=Zhoushan Network |date=2010-11-12 |accessdate=2012-01-05}} As of 2012, the Main Channel is being deepened to 22 m and widened to 765 m, which will allow two-way all-tide traffic of 300,000 DWT ships by 2013.{{cite web |url=http://seafarers.msa.gov.cn/sysinfopublish/CntListDetail.aspx?ID=59dd87b4-e049-459e-861c-8ac581499d0f&InfoType=200902251036080312 |title=天津港30万吨级航道二期工程预计上半年开工 |publisher=China Maritime Safety Agency Seafarers Network |date=2010-03-15 |accessdate=2012-03-15 }}{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
2. The Chuanzhadong channel (船闸东航道), called "Chuanzha channel" in Admiralty charts, starts roughly at the level of the Second Pier and ends at the Xingang Shipping Lock, a total of around 4.5 km. Its depth varies between 10 m to 5 m as it approaches the shiplock.
3. The Northern Harbor Branch Channel (北港支航道) extends from its bifurcation from the main channel up to the northern end of the basin, approximately 6.5 km. It has been dredged all the way to the end of the basin (where the Huicheng terminal lies) to a depth of 15 m and a width of between 190 m to 390 m. Its junction with the Main Channel was widened to 765 m in 2007 to facilitate traffic merging.

The Dagusha Channel (大沽沙航道) is wholly separate from the Main Channel. It is 27.5 km long from safe water (12 m isobath) to the mouth of the Haihe. It was upgraded in December 2010 to a depth of 12.3 m, 180 m wide, for a one-way traffic capacity of 50,000 DWT (100,000 DWT in high tide). Current dredging is expanding the Channel to 230 m bottom width and 14 m depth, which will allow all-tide traffic of 100,000 DWT vessels.{{cite web |url=http://www.eiafans.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=195105 |title=天津港10万吨级大沽沙航道工程环评公示(第一次) |publisher=环评爱好者 (EIA Fans Network) |date=2011-07-11 |accessdate=2012-03-01 |archive-date=2016-02-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204073235/http://www.eiafans.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=195105 |url-status=live }} The long-term plan is to dredge the Channel up to a two-way 200,000 DWT capability.

File:海河下游通航的货轮.jpg

The Haihe River Channel varies in depth between 4 m to 8 m with a minimum bottom width of 50 m and a maximum of 120 m. It can handle vessels of up to 5,000 DWT in the section between the Xingang Shiplock and the Haimen Bridge, and up to 3,000 DWT and 31 m air draft from the Haimen Bridge to the Second Tidal Barrier.{{cite web | url=http://www.tjmsa.gov.cn/go/AttachmentDownload.aspx?id=%7B91860999-bd65-43a3-a2c6-18a204604efb%7D | title=天津市防治船舶溢油污染海洋环境应急建设专项规编制说. 第一章: 天津港港口现状和发展规划 | publisher=天津海事局 (Tianjin Maritime Safety Bureau) | date=2011-12-19 | accessdate=2012-01-06 | page=7 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} This capacity will be reduced to 1,000 DWT once the planned fixed bridges in the Haihe are built.

The Beitangkou Channel (北塘口航道) is at present a natural shallow-water buoyed channel capable of handling barges, fishing boats and service vessels of up to 1,000 gt. It is currently being dredged to 7.9 m depth, 190 m width.

The channels serving the other three port areas are being expanded and will become open as said areas become open.{{cite web |url=http://www.tj.gov.cn/zwgk/fzgh/sthj/200904/t20090413_92660.htm |title=-天津市海洋功能区划 |publisher=天津政务网 (Tianjin Government Affairs Network) |date=2008-03-16 |accessdate=2012-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508134308/http://www.tj.gov.cn/zwgk/fzgh/sthj/200904/t20090413_92660.htm |archive-date=2012-05-08 |url-status=dead }} The Nangang Channel was activated in July 2011 on a trial basis. At present it extends 19 km{{cite web |url=http://www.zghxtg.com/article/show.asp?id=9856 |title=天津海事局航行通告津海事(2011)航字第068号天津南港工业区有关资料的通告 |publisher=中国航行通告网 (China Navigational Notices Network) |date=2011-08-31 |accessdate=2012-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426032832/http://www.zghxtg.com/article/show.asp?id=9856 |archive-date=2012-04-26 |url-status=dead }} and is dredged to a 5,000 DWT capacity (100 m wide, 6.5 m deep). According to plans, it will reach 100,000 DWT capacity by as early as 2015.{{cite web |url=http://epaper.zgsyb.com/html/2011-07/27/content_26052.htm |title=天津南港工业区5000吨级航道航标设置完成 |publisher=中国水运报数字报 |date=2011-07-27 |accessdate=2012-01-31 |archive-date=2012-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426032832/http://epaper.zgsyb.com/html/2011-07/27/content_26052.htm |url-status=live }} The Gaoshaling Channel is currently being dredged to 12.5 m depth, 150 m width, for a planned capacity of 50,000 DWT in 2015. The Hangu Channel is being dredged for 16 km to a 7 m depth, 75 m width, for a capacity of 5,000 DWT {{cite web |url=http://www.eiafans.com/thread-180089-1-1.html |title=天津港汉沽港区5000吨级航道工程环评公示(第一次) |publisher=环评爱好者 (EIA Fans Network) |accessdate=2012-02-22 |archive-date=2016-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128100007/http://www.eiafans.com/thread-180089-1-1.html |url-status=live }}

A number of secondary channels have been set up and seamarked by the MSA and FLEC to divert small boat traffic away from the main fairways. The "Sand and Gravel Transport Boats Preferred Channel" (天津港砂石运输船舶推荐航路){{cite web |url=http://www.tjeport.gov.cn/xwzx/hsjzx/20566.htm |title=天津海事局开展"迎两会，保平安"活动 |publisher=天津电子口岸 (Tianjin Electronic Port) |date=2009-03-13 |accessdate=2012-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426032832/http://www.tjeport.gov.cn/xwzx/hsjzx/20566.htm |archive-date=2012-04-26 |url-status=dead }} runs to the south of the Main Channel and the Dagukou anchorages, and is designed to stop the dangerous flow of barges and construction vessels that used to cut across NE-SW, right through the flow of large ships.{{cite web |url=http://60.30.247.210/hsdt/hsxw/8acc9b34_cad8_4046_aaed_d57995f8d9ea.html |title=巡查执法支队大力推进砂石运输船舶沿推荐航路行走 |publisher=海事新闻 (Maritime Affairs Newspaper) |date=2010-04-09 |accessdate=2012-01-31 |archive-date=2012-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426032838/http://60.30.247.210/hsdt/hsxw/8acc9b34_cad8_4046_aaed_d57995f8d9ea.html |url-status=live }} The Donggu Fishing Port Channel runs north of the Dagusha Channel, close to the Nanjiang island, and separates fishing boats from the deep water channel.

File:TianjinPortChuanzhadongAtDusk.jpg

Harbor basins are breakwater-protected, and include the in-harbor Channels and the approaches to the wharves. The Main Harbor Basin extends 16.5 km from the Xingang Shipping Lock to breakwater mouth, and there are four secondary basins within the main basin, formed by the four jutting piers of the Beijiang port area. The North Harbor Basin is 8.5 km long by 1,100–900 m wide, and has two secondary basins (in construction). The Dagukou Harbor Basin is 14 km long, and tapers down from 1,500 to 900 m wide as it goes up the old Haihe mouth. It also has two secondary basins (in construction).

Tianjin Port has six main anchorage areas and two temporary anchorages. All anchorages are designated for all functions—berth waiting, quarantine, inspection and pilotage—, and provide little shelter from weather or rough seas. Bottom hold is poor to very poor, anchored vessels are advised to keep five cables of clearance, as anchor dragging is common (up to 5–10 NM in a day in winter, due to drifting ice).{{cite enroute|157|2018|159}}

The Dagukou North, South and Chemical Bulk anchorages are situated on both sides of the main shipping channel, to the east of the Dagu Lighthouse. These anchorages cater for the majority of the traffic, and can get very crowded. Collisions have occurred with some frequency in the past. The two deep water anchorage sites are further out into the deeper parts of the Bohai Bay. One anchorage for very large Capesize vessels of more than 150,000 DWT is shared with Tangshan Caofeidian.

Two more anchorages (N^o5 and 6) serve the Dagukou area. Both are located on the south side of the Dagusha channel. N^o6 covers 40 km², has depth of 10–13 m and anchors small and medium displacement vessels. N^o5 anchorage covers 20 km² and has a depth of 16–18 m, anchoring larger vessels.{{cite web |url=http://www.tj-hip.gov.cn/jtys_hy.asp |title=基础设施-交通运输-海运 |publisher=天津临港经济区 |accessdate=2012-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426041511/http://www.tj-hip.gov.cn/jtys_hy.asp |archive-date=2012-04-26 |url-status=dead }} N^o6 anchorage is operational but still little used, N^o5 was recently activated (2011) but it is still considered "temporary". The most recent temporary anchorage serves the newly opened (2011) Nangang area. Finally, there is a "Zhengjiatai Lay-By Berthing Area" (郑家台临时候泊区) on the Haihe, next to the Second Barrier{{cn|reason=Citation is to dead link, even in archive.|date=January 2025}} for ships awaiting berths at the Zhengjiatai terminal.

File:ShipLeavingXingangShiplockEastGate.jpg

The Haihe river channel is separated from the sea channels by three structures: First, the Xingang Shiplock ({{zh|s=新港船闸|p=xīngǎng chuánzhá}}) in the northern side of the estuary is the main shipping route into the Haihe area. It was started by the Japanese occupation forces in 1942, completed in 1943 and made operational by the Nationalist government after the war, in 1946. It has a width of 20.5 m, a length of 180 m and cill depth of 5 m. It allows passage to vessels up to 18.5 m wide, limited to 17.5 m at night and for ships carrying liquid bulk or otherwise dangerous cargoes. The Haihe Bridge is directly over the shiplock, with an air clearance of 39.5 m.

Second, the Haihe Tidal Barrier ({{zh|s=海河防潮闸|p=hǎihé fángcháozhá}}), built in 1958, and last refurbished in 1999, serves as a dam, flood control sluice and tide surge protection for the Haihe river mouth. It is an open sluice design, with 8 vertical-rising gates designed for an average flow of 1,200 m³/s flow when open, with a maximum flow of 1,689 m³/s recorded on 28 August 1963.{{cite web|url=http://www.hwcc.gov.cn/pub/hwcc/wwgj/jishupd/liuyuzdgc/zb/tnull_75956.html |title=海河防潮闸 |publisher=水信息网 (Water Information Network) |accessdate=2012-02-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426040528/http://www.hwcc.gov.cn/pub/hwcc/wwgj/jishupd/liuyuzdgc/zb/tnull_75956.html |archivedate=2012-04-26 }}

Third, the Tanggu Fishing Boat Lock ({{zh|s=塘沽渔船闸|p=tánggū yúchuánzhá}}) is located at the western end of the channel between Donggu and Lanjingdao Island. Built in 1959, it is 150 m long, 14 m wide, 8 m ditch depth, with cill water depth of 2.5 m. It can handle ships of up to 200 gt.{{cite web |url=http://www.tjdfz.org.cn/tjtz/gkz/di3pian/1zhang/4/index.shtml |title=船闸 |publisher=天津地方志网 (Tianjin Regional Chronicles Network) |accessdate=2012-02-01 |archive-date=2012-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426040557/http://www.tjdfz.org.cn/tjtz/gkz/di3pian/1zhang/4/index.shtml |url-status=live }} In 2011, the Fishing Boat Lock gates started to be rebuilt to allow for larger road traffic between Donggu and Lanjingdao.{{cite web |url=http://www.bhswjl.com/newsread2156.html |title=海河上再添两桥一闸 |publisher=天津滨海新区参观考察网 (Tianjin Binhai New Area Official Visits Network) |date=2010-07-14 |accessdate=2012-02-02 |archive-date=2011-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222003929/http://www.bhswjl.com/newsread2156.html |url-status=dead }}

File:HaiheSecondBarrierFromEast.jpg

The final hydraulic structure of the Tianjin Port is the Haihe Second Barrier ({{zh|s=海河二道闸|p=hǎihé èrdàozhá}}) at Dongnigucun, in the Jinnan district. The Second Barrier is also an open-type sluice barrier, with 8 vertical-rising gates allowing an average flow of 1200 m³/s. The Barrier, opened in July 1984, closes ship traffic upriver into Tianjin city proper, and its erection resulted in the abandonment of 29.3 km of navigable channel.{{cite journal |url=http://d.wanfangdata.com.cn/Periodical_zgncslsd200505012.aspx |title=海河二道闸和防潮闸优化调度研究 |trans-title=The Optimal Operation of Two Gates in Haihe River |language=zh-CN |publisher=D.wanfangdata.com.cn |year=2005 |issue=5 |author=Gao Xueping |accessdate=2012-02-02 |display-authors=etal |doi=10.3969/j.issn.1007-2284.2005.05.012 |journal=China Rural Water Conservancy and Hydropower |archive-date=2014-02-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222212334/http://d.wanfangdata.com.cn/Periodical_zgncslsd200505012.aspx |url-status=live }}

The last three areas (Gaoshaling, Nangang, Hangu) are under construction, and will be integrated into Port operations as they come online.{{cite web|url=http://www.zhonggushipping.com/a/xinwenzhongxin/xingyedongtai/2010/0902/79.html |title=天津港一港九区规划完成 |publisher=中谷海运 (Zhonggu Shipping) |accessdate=2012-01-05 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426033104/http://www.zhonggushipping.com/a/xinwenzhongxin/xingyedongtai/2010/0902/79.html |archivedate=2012-04-26 }}

Hangu Port Area ({{zh|s=汉沽港区|p=hàngū gǎngqū}}) comprises the Tianjin Central Fishing Port (天津中心渔港), which is located at Caijiabao (蔡家堡) to the north of Beitang. The Central Fishing Port is a large (18 km²) mixed development that gathers tourist facilities, a yachting marina, a fishing port with 17 berths capable of handling ships up to 5,000 DWT for a throughput of 17 million tonnes,{{cite web | url=http://zxyg.bhcig.com/gsjj.aspx | title=天津中心渔港开发有限公司 > 公司简介 | publisher=天津中心渔港开发有限公司 | accessdate=2012-03-11 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426091448/http://zxyg.bhcig.com/gsjj.aspx | archive-date=2012-04-26 | url-status=dead }} and cold-chain warehousing. It is expected to go into full operation in 2012–13.

Gaoshaling Port Area ({{zh|s=高沙岭港区|p=gāoshālǐng gǎngqū}}) is located on reclaimed land to the south of the Lingang Industrial Area and north of the Duliujian (独流减) river. It includes the docks of the southern section of the Lingang Economic Area, and will have its own channel. Gaoshaling area will focus on heavy equipment handling and other heavy industrial cargo.{{cite web|url=http://www.zhonggushipping.com/a/xinwenzhongxin/xingyedongtai/2010/0902/79.html |title=中谷海运 |publisher=Zhonggushipping.com |accessdate=2012-01-05 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426033104/http://www.zhonggushipping.com/a/xinwenzhongxin/xingyedongtai/2010/0902/79.html |archivedate=2012-04-26 }} The

Nangang Port Area ({{zh|s=南港港区|p=nángǎng gǎngqū}}) is being built on the reclaimed land of the TEDA Nangang Industrial Zone (天津开发区南港工业区), south of the Duliujian river and north of the Ziya river. It will focus at first on petrochemical goods. The first trial wharf opened in 2011.

The coastal area of Tianjin municipality prior to development was dominated by mudflats, salt marshes (and salterns), and coastal shallows. This littoral zone is wide and slopes gently: the 0 m isobath (the intertidal flats) extends to 3–8 km from shore at a slope of 0.71–1.28%, the −5 m isobath extends 14–18 km from shore, and the −10 m isobath reaches 22–36 km from shore. These features make deep water navigation dependent on extensive dredging, but it also means that land reclamation is a cost-effective option for construction. Tianjin Port is thus by necessity largely man-made through dredging and reclamation.

Soil geology: As it is largely built on man-made surfaces, Tianjin Port's engineering geology is fairly regular:

File:BeigangchiSaltFlat.jpg

1. A layer of artificial fill from +4.6 m to +2.0 m of elevation. On older parts of the Port, this layer was placed by jetting dredged material, which made the dredged silty clay finer. More recent construction uses the vacuum preloading method, which results in better compacted surfaces.
2. A layer of marine deposits of silt and silty clay interspersed with sand, of recent date (~800 years BP). It is around 15 m thick, highly waterlogged, and considered a risk to liquefy during an earthquake.
3. A layer of alluvial deposit of the Holocene estuary delta. This is mostly cohesive soil (silty clay) and silty sand, horizontally stratified. At −21 m there is a dense layer of fine sand, which provides good support for piles and foundations.{{cite book|url=http://authors.library.caltech.edu/26539/1/Tangshan/Volume3_Chapter_4.pdf|author=Liu Huixian|title=The Great Tangshan Earthquake of 1976. Ch 4: Engineering for Water Transportation|accessdate=2011-12-10|display-authors=etal|archive-date=2012-05-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531215755/http://authors.library.caltech.edu/26539/1/Tangshan/Volume3_Chapter_4.pdf|url-status=dead}} although in newer construction, piling usually extends to −36 m or beyond. Bedrock is not reached at engineering depths (shallowest seams are 180 m{{cite web |url=http://111.160.20.145:8000/ElectronicAtlas/gcdz/50-51.html |title=工程地质综述 |publisher=天津市地质资科馆 |accessdate=2012-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222081459/http://111.160.20.145:8000/ElectronicAtlas/gcdz/50-51.html |archive-date=2015-12-22 |url-status=dead }})

Seismological Conditions: The area of Tianjin is very seismically active. The 1976 Tangshan earthquake affected the harbor and caused serious damage to its installations. The Port's current design specifications are to resist earthquakes of intensity 7, to a basic design Peak ground acceleration of 0.15 g.

{{climate chart

| Tanggu

|- 7| 0|2.5

|- 5|2.0|3.3

| 1|9|6.1

| 8|16|20

| 15|23|27.8

| 20|27|59.1

| 22.7|31.0|134.6

| 23|29|137.4

| 18|25|31.9

| 11|18|15

| 2|10|6.8

|- 5|2|4.9

| float = left

| clear = none}}

Climate: Tianjin Port is at the northern limit of the continental monsoon climate area. Specifically, it belongs to the temperate semi-humid continental climate type (Köppen Dwa), with a short rainy season in the summer, large seasonal differences in temperature, and large variation in weather year to year. Annual average temperature is {{convert|abbr=on|12.3|C|F}}. The hottest months are July and August (maximum temperature recorded was {{convert|abbr=on|39.9|C|F|disp=or}} on 24 July 1955), and the coldest is January (minimum temperature recorded was {{convert|abbr=on|−18.3|C|F|disp=or}} on 17 January 1953). The average relative humidity is 65%, with a maximum of 100% recorded in summer, and a minimum of 3% recorded in winter.

Precipitation and Storms Average annual precipitation is {{convert|abbr=on|602.9|mm|in|1}}, with rainfall concentrated on the rainy months of July and August. Maximum recorded annual rainfall was in 1964 (1,083.5 mm), and minimum recorded annual rainfall was in 1968 (278.4 mm). The maximum single day precipitation recorded occurred on 30 July 1975 (191.5 mm). The average number of thunderstorms is 27.5 per year, mostly breaking out in June and July. Due to its shallowness and narrowness, the Tianjin coast is prone to storm surges: since 1860 there has been 30 storm surges, around once every 4 years, most recently in 2003, 2009 and 2011. Of the nine serious surges in the last hundred years, five were caused by typhoons (the Bohai Bay is at the northernmost range of the Pacific typhoon corridor), and four by winter cyclones.{{cite journal |journal=Proceedings of the Twentieth (2010) International Offshore and Polar Engineering Conference |url=http://www.isope.org/publications/proceedings/ISOPE/ISOPE%202010/data/papers/10TPC-521Ji.pdf |author=Qiaoling Ji |title=Coincidence Risk of Extreme Storm Surges in Adjacent Bohai Bay and Laizhou Bay |publisher=The International Society of Offshore and Polar Engineers (ISOPE) |date=June 20–25, 2010 |accessdate=2011-12-10 |display-authors=etal |archive-date=2014-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310102625/http://www.isope.org/publications/proceedings/ISOPE/ISOPE%202010/data/papers/10TPC-521Ji.pdf |url-status=live }}

File:Port of Tianjin Wind Rose.svg for the Port of Tianjin]]Winds: Average annual wind velocity is 4.43 m/s; Easterly winds have the fastest average velocity, averaging 6.51 m/s. Strongest (steady) wind recorded was a WNW blowing at 33 m/s, on 3 January 1986.{{cite web |url=http://www.minantj.cn/docc/gangqu1.asp?id=187 |title=港区简图 |publisher=Tianjin Min'an International Shipping Agency |accessdate=2011-12-10 |archive-date=2012-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426042128/http://www.minantj.cn/docc/gangqu1.asp?id=187 |url-status=live }} Winds over category 7 are observed for 1–7% of the year. Predominant winds are:

• Spring: SW
• Summer: SE
• Autumn: SW
• Winter: NW

File:AprilHazeAtTianjinPort.jpgFog: Fog or haze is present around one third of the year, particularly during winter. Of these hazy days, there is an average of 16.5 fog days per year with visibility of less than one kilometer (a visibility level that triggers severe restriction of traffic in the port). The foggiest year on record was 1972, with 26 days; foggiest month was January 1973 with 12 days. Like other regions in the North China Plain, Tianjin Port is prone to pollution haze. This haze can be a navigational problem when combined with foggy conditions.{{cite web |url=http://www.ptacn.com/News1View.asp?ID=1354&SortID=88 |title=30个小时 驱雾破霾 |publisher=Ptacn.com |accessdate=2011-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426032832/http://www.ptacn.com/News1View.asp?ID=1354&SortID=88 |archive-date=2012-04-26 |url-status=dead }}

The Bohai Bay is one of the three bays that compose the Bohai Sea. The Bay is a semi-enclosed, fairly shallow water basin, with average depth below 10 m. It has relatively poor water exchange into the Bohai Sea,{{cite web |url=http://www.iahr.org/membersonly/grazproceedings99/doc/000/000/337.htm |title=Verification Of A Numerical Model Using Field Monitoring Data For Modelling Bohai Bay |publisher=Iahr.org |date=1993-08-04 |accessdate=2012-10-02 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20020129135455/http://www.iahr.org/membersonly/grazproceedings99/doc/000/000/337.htm |archive-date=2002-01-29 |url-status=dead }} and in turn the Bohai Sea exchanges poorly with the Yellow Sea (it can take 40 to 200 years for complete water turnaround{{cite web|url=http://www.emecs.or.jp/guidebook/eng/pdf/09bohai.pdf |title=Bohai Sea |website=www.emecs.or.jp/ |accessdate=2011-12-10 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426032832/http://www.emecs.or.jp/guidebook/eng/pdf/09bohai.pdf |archivedate=2012-04-26 }}), which means that both silt and pollution runoff accumulates in the Bay.{{cite web |url=http://www.forestry.gov.cn/portal/main/s/144/content-82454.html |title=黄河口湿地生态文化节材料之二十：渤海湾湿地水鸟的多样性及其保护 |publisher=Forestry.gov.cn |accessdate=2011-12-10 |archive-date=2012-04-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425045536/http://www.forestry.gov.cn/portal/main/s/144/content-82454.html |url-status=live }}

Tides: Tanggu has a mixed semidiurnal tide. The lunitidal interval is 45 min, the average duration of rise is 5 h 40 min, and the average duration of fall is 6 h 53 min.{{cite book |url=http://www.docin.com/p-133372261.html |title=天津港防波堤延伸对港内水流及潮汐特征值影响的研究 |publisher=Docin.com |date=2011-02-26 |accessdate=2011-12-10 |archive-date=2012-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611105044/http://www.docin.com/p-133372261.html |url-status=live }} The daily inequality between low waters is particularly marked.{{cite web |url=http://www.hwcc.gov.cn/pub/hwcc/ztxx/hhslw/12345/12350/201109/t20110927_335993.html |title=天津滨海旅游区临海新城水系统管理可行性研究(刘亚平 孙林云 刘建军 章卫胜) |publisher=Hwcc.gov.cn |date=2011-09-27 |accessdate=2011-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426032833/http://www.hwcc.gov.cn/pub/hwcc/ztxx/hhslw/12345/12350/201109/t20110927_335993.html |archive-date=2012-04-26 |url-status=dead }}

Average tide heights at the Tanggu Oceanic Station (塘沽海洋站) are:The Chart datum used for these tide values is the 1985 National Datum Mark (国家高程基准), which is an adjustment of the 1956 Yellow Sea Datum. The Admiralty chart datum uses the local LAT, and the NGA presents approximate data, so the numbers disagree slightly. The old "Dagu Zero" (大沽零点), the first of the six Chinese chart datums, was developed at the Dagu tide station and it is sometimes still found in some older charts (particularly of the Haihe).[http://www.hnkc.com.cn/celiang/dashiji/dshji20.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121102003/http://www.hnkc.com.cn/celiang/dashiji/dshji20.htm |date=2008-11-21 }} Dagu Zero is 1.163 m higher than the 1985 Datum.[https://archive.today/20121202110213/http://www.tjhbq.gov.cn/ReadNews.asp?NewsID=644]

• Mean Sea Level: 2.56 m
• Mean High Water (MHW): 3.74 m
• Mean Higher High Water (MHHW – Admiralty Datum): 3.7 m
• Mean Lower High Water (MLHW – Admiralty Datum): 3.6 m
• Mean Low Water (MLW): 1.34 m
• Mean Higher Low Water (MHLW – Admiralty Datum): 1.7 m
• Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW – Admiralty Datum): 0.7 m
• Mean Tidal Range: 2.47 m
• Mean Tidal Range Springs: 3.5 m (NGA approximation)
• Mean Tidal Range Neaps: 2 m (NGA approximation)
• Maximum High Tide Recorded: 5.83 m(September 1992)
• Minimum Low Tide Recorded: −1.08 m (18 December 1957)
• Maximum Tidal Range Recorded: 4.37 m (26 October 1980)

File:TideSignalStationHaiheBridge.jpg at the western end of the Nanjiang Island]]

The design water levels for port facilities are:{{cite web |url=http://www.ptacn.com/about.asp?id=110 |title=港口的自然条件 |publisher=Tianjin Port Group |accessdate=2011-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070907175548/http://www.ptacn.com/about.asp?id=110 |archive-date=2007-09-07 |url-status=dead }}

• Design high water level: 4.30 m
• Design low water level: 0.50 m
• Extreme high water level: 5.88 m
• Extreme low water level: -1.29 m

Tidal currents: Flood tide at the Dagukou Anchorage flows northwest (average bearing 292°), at an average speed of 0.8 knots, and a maximum of 1.9 knots. Ebbing tide flows to the southeast (130° average bearing), at an average speed of 0.7 knots, and a maximum of 1 knot. Tide currents within breakwaters are parallel to the channel and have a maximum speed of 0.64 knots.{{cite web |url=http://wenku.baidu.com/view/5b618a126edb6f1aff001f56.html |title=通航安全技术论证的教学案例汇编 |publisher=通航安全技术论证 |accessdate=2011-12-13 |archive-date=2016-02-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204073235/http://wenku.baidu.com/view/5b618a126edb6f1aff001f56.html |url-status=live }}

Waves: File:Port of Tianjin Wave Rose.svgThe western Bohai Bay is a relatively calm body of water. The frequency of waves below 1.0 m height is 87.6%, of waves of height above 1.0 m is 12.4%, waves above 2.0 m is 1.9% and waves above 3.0 m is 0.4%.{{Cite journal |url=http://www.irtces.org/pdf-hekou/038.pdf |title=Study on the Influence of Sea Reclamation Project in Tianjin on the Surrounding Sediment Environment |author1=Sun, Liancheng |author2=Zhao, Hongbo |date=2003-11-11 |accessdate=2011-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426032832/http://www.irtces.org/pdf-hekou/038.pdf |archive-date=2012-04-26 |url-status=dead |journal=International Conference on Estuaries and Coasts }} The proportion of pure wind waves is 74.2%, of pure swell waves is 0.9%, and of mixed swell/wind is 24.9%. Predominant wave directions are NNE-E (9.68% frequency), ENE-E (9.53%) S (9.27%), SSE (8.91%) and SE (8.30%).{{cite web |url=http://www.szports.org.cn/html/padata/guonagangkou/200903/12-363.html |title=天津港 |publisher=深圳港口协会(Shenzhen Port Association) |date=2009-03-12 |accessdate=2011-12-13 |archive-date=2012-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426032832/http://www.szports.org.cn/html/padata/guonagangkou/200903/12-363.html |url-status=live }} Waves are strongest in spring and weakest in fall. Summers are very calm, unless typhoons wander off far enough north. Strongest average waves are ENE and NNW waves.{{cite web |url=http://port.shippingchina.com/portdata/index/detail/id/604.html |title=天津港 Tianjin Port 世界港口大全 |publisher=中国国际海运网(Shipping China) |accessdate=2011-12-13 |archive-date=2011-08-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824235326/http://port.shippingchina.com/portdata/index/detail/id/604.html |url-status=live }}

Icing: Ice cover in the Bohai Bay is highest in February. Shore icing extends an average of 500 m, with an average thickness of 10–25 cm, maximum of 40 cm. Drift ice extends 15–20 nm, roughly to the 10–15 m isobath. Average drift ice thickness is around 5 cm, maximum thickness is 20–25 cm. Ice flows are SE–NW, at an average speed of 30 cm/s, maximum of 100 cm/s.{{cite web |url=http://www.tctcn.com/english/ReadNews.asp?NewsID=573 |title=天津港地理位置及自然条件 |publisher=Tianjin Port Container Terminal Co., Ltd. |date=2005-07-15 |accessdate=2012-02-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426034550/http://www.tctcn.com/english/ReadNews.asp?NewsID=573 |archive-date=2012-04-26 |url-status=dead }}

Icing is a regular problem for the Haihe river port area, and requires continuous clearing.{{cite web |url=http://news.mtw001.com/gk/201109/20110304095048.html |title=天津港拖轮巡视破冰 |publisher=中国煤炭网 |date=2011-03-04 |accessdate=2011-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823053235/http://news.mtw001.com/gk/201109/20110304095048.html |archive-date=2011-08-23 |url-status=dead }} Icing is not normally a navigational hazard at the seaport, except on extremely severe winters like the 2009–2010 winter (the severest in over 30 years). Seasonal buoyage change is necessary.

Sedimentation: Silting was long considered an insurmountable obstacle to deep-water navigation at Tanggu. However, the extensive hydraulic work of the last decades, in particular the damming of the Haihe, has reduced silting to manageable levels, reducing average estuary water sediment from 0.75 kg/m³ to 0.1 kg/m³

Pollution: Severe eutrophication caused by polluted runoff has made red tides in the Bohai Bay common. Combined with overfishing, this has put pressure on once-abundant fish stocks. Biological pollution is also a problem, with illegal ballast water discharges creating a strong danger of invasive exotic species.{{Cite journal|publisher=International Maritime Organization |title=Ballast Water Risk Assessment, Port of Dalian, People's Republic of China |series=Globallast Monograph Series #12 |author=Clark, Chris|date=November 2003 |display-authors=etal |journal=Global Ballast Water Management Programme}} Habitat destruction caused by reclamation has damaged coastal wetlands, intertidal flats and shallow water hatcheries essential for many fish and bird species.{{cite web |url=http://www.birdssa.asn.au/yellowsea.htm |title=Save The Yellow Sea |publisher=South Australian Ornithological Association Incorporated |date=2011-08-27 |accessdate=2011-12-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214173506/http://www.birdssa.asn.au/yellowsea.htm |archive-date=2012-02-14 |url-status=dead }}

{{Reflist|group=note}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• [http://www.tianjin-port.com/ Tianjin Port Holdings Company Limited]
• [http://www.tianjinportdev.com/ Tianjin Port Development Holdings Limited]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160729012238/http://www.5ict.com/main/map.aspx Map of the Port of Tianjin]
• [http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/portdetails.aspx?port_id=309 Live AIS Map of the Port of Tianjin]

{{Ports of China}}

{{Transport in China}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tianjin Port}}

Category:Port of Tianjin