Taicang Maritime Bureau upgraded its response to effectively defend against Typhoon Bavi.

As the forefront of defense against Typhoon No. 9 "Bavi," the Taicang section of the Yangtze River preemptively evacuated over 530 vessels, with more than 360 vessels sheltering in port and over 2,600 personnel on board. On July 12, the maximum wind force measured in the Taicang section of the Yangtze River reached level 11, marking the wind force extreme for Jiangsu Province's riverine waters. Due to the southeast wind, the super-strong waves could easily cause major maritime accidents such as anchor dragging, capsizing, container overboard incidents, and vessel collisions or groundings. The Taicang Maritime Bureau resolutely implemented early response, upgraded control measures, enhanced coordination efficiency, and accelerated emergency handling. They fully enforced typhoon defense responsibilities, refined and improved various prevention and control plans, and meticulously implemented typhoon defense measures such as waterway control, vessel evacuation, hazard inspections, and emergency stationing, determined to win the tough battle of maritime defense against Typhoon "Bavi."

Strengthening situation assessment and responding early from the worst-case scenario

Starting July 6, the bureau's leadership team conducted daily risk assessments at 8 a.m., dynamically adjusting response measures based on the principle of "earlier on water than on land, earlier at docks than on water." They prepared for the worst-case scenario by evacuating high-risk vessels to low-risk waters for shelter. By midnight on July 9, all typhoon defense response measures were fully implemented, and all key vessels had completed the "stop, shut down, evacuate, and transfer" tasks.

Before the typhoon's impact, anchorage points were reserved for large vessels entering and leaving the port to alleviate concerns for vessels and docks, seizing operational time windows. Scientific scheduling ensured coordinated efforts for typhoon defense, dock production, and energy supply. A total of 34 vessels, including international navigation vessels, energy supply vessels, and key route vessels, were scheduled. Dedicated channels were opened for nine coal-carrying vessels, unloading 237,000 tons of coal in advance to ensure energy supply and meet public needs.

Through dual channels of an information system and on-site verification, a control list of 19 categories of key vessels was established, providing a comprehensive understanding of vessels in the jurisdiction. Based on the risk characteristics of various vessels, targeted measures and closed-loop management were implemented. Key control targets such as hazardous chemical carriers, heavily loaded small inland vessels, multi-layer container ships, construction vessels, pontoons, and heavy cargo transport vessels were subdivided. Specific sheltering waters, evacuation deadlines, and on-duty standards were clarified for each category, creating a "one vessel, one policy" approach to build the first line of defense against typhoons on the water.

Enforcing typhoon defense responsibilities with the strictest standards for waterway control

The bureau evacuated all CAPE-type ultra-large vessels, hazardous chemical carriers, inland ro-ro vessels, and waterborne traffic vessels from the port for shelter. Patrol boats and tugboats were stationed in key waters to monitor and prevent high-risk vessels such as inland ro-ro vessels and heavily loaded small inland vessels from anchoring in the Taicang jurisdiction. For vessels carrying two or more layers of containers above the deck, unloading and evacuation were expedited. Before the typhoon's arrival, 225 high-risk vessels were evacuated.

During the typhoon's impact, duty personnel were increased, and key vessels were inspected and verified every half hour. For 14 foreign vessels sheltering in Taicang, pilots were coordinated to board and remain on duty 24/7, ensuring smooth communication and safe sheltering during anchorage. The hazardous goods anchorage in the jurisdiction maintained a zero-anchorage status, ensuring the safety of the downstream international communication cross-river optical cable.

Terminal units were urged to re-inspect and reinforce cranes and other loading and unloading equipment. For the risk of cable breakage and drifting of five newly built vessels docked at the Yangtze River Offshore Engineering Terminal, "one vessel, one policy" preventive measures were implemented, and six tugboats and law enforcement personnel were assigned for close monitoring. Measures such as reinforcement, evacuation, and personnel transfer were taken for non-powered vessels, construction vessels, and pontoons. A total of five construction vessels were evacuated, 12 pontoons were reinforced, and 116 frontline workers were safely relocated.

Adhering to the overall typhoon defense strategy and strengthening coordinated linkage with an integrated perspective

In response to the need for vessels from Shanghai and Zhejiang to enter the Yangtze River for shelter, proactive coordination with maritime authorities in Shanghai and Zhejiang was established. A collaborative mechanism for real-time information sharing, vessel evacuation linkage, and risk co-management was set up. The jurisdiction's sheltering channels were opened, and the entire process of vessel sheltering, including reporting, verification, and docking, was optimized. Efforts were made to accommodate vessels evacuated from the two regions, effectively alleviating the direct impact of the typhoon on Shanghai and Zhejiang. The Taicang section of the Yangtze River accommodated over 200 cross-regional vessels seeking shelter, including 38 large offshore construction vessels.

Given the high number of sheltering vessels, large anchorage demand, and concentrated typhoon defense pressure at Taicang Port, the Jiangsu Maritime Bureau was requested to coordinate with four upstream maritime branches to scientifically allocate sheltering waters. High-risk vessels in the Taicang jurisdiction were evacuated to upstream safe waters in an orderly manner, with over 100 vessels transferred, effectively reducing the anchorage density in Taicang waters and eliminating safety risks caused by vessel congestion.

Joint prevention and linkage between the main and tributary streams, as well as between main channels and inland waters, were strengthened. Special risk avoidance plans for small vessels were refined. Through radar monitoring, on-site inspections, and telephone reminders, the dynamics of small operational vessels and short-distance transport vessels in the jurisdiction were comprehensively assessed. Risk avoidance guidance measures were implemented for each vessel, guiding over 300 small vessels to safe inland waters for shelter, achieving the goal of "evacuating all that should be evacuated and sheltering all that should be sheltered."

Prioritizing resources and ensuring emergency stationing with full jurisdictional strength

During the typhoon's impact, all bureau staff canceled leave and remained on duty. Party members and youth task forces were organized to be on the front lines of typhoon defense. Twelve young key personnel from the agency's departments were deployed to the front lines, fully participating in emergency stationing to ensure sufficient frontline strength for typhoon defense.

Relying on smart maritime technology and on-site patrol boats, daily inspections of vessels in the jurisdiction were conducted one by one. The number of personnel on board, cargo status, anchorage areas, on-duty arrangements, and typhoon defense measures were verified. Safety risks for vessels in port were identified, ensuring that vessels were evacuated and personnel were relocated as needed, preventing incidents such as anchor dragging, grounding, and collisions during the typhoon.

Coordination was sought with four waterborne rescue centers in Chongming, Baoshan, Nantong, and Changshu to jointly deploy emergency forces in boundary waters. Emergency resources were increased in the most densely anchored waters, with 35 tugboats and 26 maritime law enforcement personnel stationed on the river for 48 consecutive hours, providing the closest safety assurance for vessels and crew. During the typhoon, 361 sheltering vessels and 2,659 waterborne personnel safely weathered the storm, achieving "zero accidents and zero casualties" in the jurisdiction.

On July 14, the impact of Typhoon "Bavi" on the Taicang section of the Yangtze River gradually weakened. After the typhoon, the daily vessel traffic in the Taicang section of the Yangtze River is expected to reach a peak, exceeding 3,000 trips. Moving forward, the Taicang Maritime Bureau will focus on the "second half" of typhoon defense, leveraging its role as the "gateway" of Yangtze River shipping. It will make every effort to ensure safe and orderly navigation in the Taicang section of the Yangtze River, facilitate the resumption of port operations as soon as possible, and minimize the impact of the typhoon.