Shipping Developments in the Aftermath of the Mining of North Vietnamese Ports

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80T01719R000400040001-6
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 28, 2000
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: August 1, 1972
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2001/09/01 : CIA-RDP80TO1719R000400040001-6
R/sA~ A /terns Top Secret
No Foreign Dissem
Sensitive
Shipping Developments in the Aftermath
of the Mining of North Vietnamese Ports
NSA Declassification/Release Instructions on File.
Top Secret
SC-09885/72
August 1972
Copy N2 23
Approved For Release 2001/09/01 : CIA-RDP80TO1719R000400040001-6
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WARNING
This document contains classified information affecting the national security
of the United States within the meaning of the espionage laws, US Code
Title 18, Sections 793, 794, and 798.
THIS DOCUMENT MUST BE KEPT IN COMMUNICATIONS
INTELLIGENCE CHANNELS AT ALL TIMES
It is to be seen only by personnel especially indoctrinated and authorized
to receive COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE information within the
Government to which transmitted; its security must be maintained in accord-
ance with COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE REGULATIONS.
No action is to be taken on any COMMUNICATIONS INTELLIGENCE
which may be contained herein, regardless of the advantages to be gained,
unless such action is first approved by the Director of Central Intelligence.
Exempt from general
declassification schedule of E.O. 11652
exemption categoZ- 3B 2),(3),
classified by 11001
declassified only on approval of
the Director of Central Intelligence
WARNING NOTICE
SENSITIVE INTELLIGENCE SOURCES
AND METHODS INVOLVED
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Foreword
This publication discusses the impact of the US mining program on
North Vietnam's international seaborne trade through 15 August 1972. It
details the number and location of foreign ships in North Vietnamese ports
when the mining announcement was made, movements that occurred prior
to mine activation, and the subsequent disposition of foreign ships and
cargoes en route to North Vietnam. Particular emphasis is given to the use
of Chinese ports for the transshipment of cargo bound for North Vietnam
and Chinese efforts to continue to move cargo into North Vietnam via
secondary ports along the southern coastline of the country. For details
on North Vietnam's international seaborne trade prior to the mining
program, see ER IM 72-102, Shipping to North Vietnam:
1 January - 11 May 1972, July 1972, SECRET/NO FOREIGN DISSEM.
Tonnages are expressed in metric tons. Because of rounding, components
may not add to the totals shown.
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Page
Summary and Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . .
.
. . . . . . . . 1
Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.
. . . . . . . . 2
Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.
. . . . . . . . 2
Disposition of Ships En Route . . . . . . . .
.
. . . . . . . . 5
Use of Chinese Ports . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.
. . . . . . . . 7
Lightering of Chinese Freighters off the Southern
Coastline of North Vietnam . . . . . . . . .
.
. . . . . . . 14
Appendix
Chronology of Activity of PRC Ships in Southern
North Vietnamese Waters Since the Mining . . . .
.
. . . . . . . 19
1. Foreign Ship Departures from North Vietnamese Por
ts
Between the Mining Announcement and Mine Activ
ation . . . . . 3
2. Subsequent Disposition of Foreign Ships and Cargoes
En Route to North Vietnam on 8 May 1972 . .
. . . . . . . . 6
3. Shipping of North Vietnam-Bound Cargo to the PRC
. . . . . . . 9
Illustrations
North Vietnamese and South Chinese Ports . . . . .
. . . .frontispiece
Figure 1. Ships in Haiphong Harbor
as of 29 May 1972 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. inside back cover
Figure 2. Lasawei and Approaches to the Port of Huang-Pu . . . . . 13
Figure 3. The Soviet Tanker Pevek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Figure 4. Two Chinese Freighters at the Hon Nieu
Anchorage Serving Vinh, 29 May 1972 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Figure 5. Chinese Freighter Hung Chi 150 at Hon La
Island, 75 Miles South of Vinh, 18 June 1972 . . . . . . . . . . 17
Figure 6. Chinese Merchant Ships in Southern North
Vietnamese Waters Since the Mining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
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 Approved For Release 2001/09/01 : CIA-RDP80TO1719R000400040001-6
Approved For Release 2001/09/01 : CIA-RDP80TO1719R000400040001-6