The shipping platform

Location: Basuo (Dongfang) is located on the E bank of Beibu Gulf, on the W coast of Hainan Island in the South China Sea. General overview: The port is a multi-purpose, deep water port and has more berths capable of handling vessels over 10,000DWT than any other port on Hainan Island. The port has 1,412m of quays which can handle 6 x 10,000DWT and 2 x 1,000DWT ships simultaneously. There are reportedly 10 berths in total. The main imports handled are coal, steel products, cement, fertiliser, sugar and grain. Exports handled include minerals, silica sand, general cargo, ore and local products. Traffic figures: Approx 5,388,000t of cargo is handled annually. Load line zone: China Sea Seasonal Tropical Area, Tropical Jan 21 to Apr 30, Summer May 1 to Jan 20. Max size: LOA 250m, no beam restriction, max draught 9.0m plus tide. Largest vessel handled: "Hong Hua No 1", 180m in length, 30m beam and 43,108DWT. The ship sailed with 18,053t of timber onboard.