Marine Insight: Port And Starboard Lights

Marine Industry Demand for Port and Starboard Lights

Port and starboard navigation lights are fundamental components in maritime safety systems, serving as critical visual indicators for vessel position, direction, and operational status. These lights are mandated under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), requiring all vessels over 12 meters in length to display red (port) and green (starboard) sidelights visible from a minimum distance of two nautical miles. Their primary function is to enable other vessels to determine the orientation and movement of nearby craft during low visibility conditions such as night, fog, or heavy weather. This capability is essential for collision avoidance and safe navigation, particularly in congested waterways, harbors, and shipping lanes.

The reliability and compliance of port and starboard lights directly impact a vessel’s operational legality and safety performance. Non-compliant or poorly performing lights can lead to misinterpretation by nearby mariners, increasing the risk of maritime incidents. As such, shipbuilders, fleet operators, and marine outfitters prioritize high-quality, durable, and standards-compliant lighting solutions. Modern port and starboard lights must also withstand harsh marine environments, including saltwater exposure, UV radiation, and mechanical vibration, while maintaining consistent luminous intensity and color accuracy.

Hangzhou Star Marine Technology Co., Ltd. specializes in the design and export of certified marine outfittings, including a comprehensive range of port and starboard navigation lights. Engineered to meet or exceed international standards such as IMO Res. A.1048(27), IEC 60945, and SOLAS Chapter V, our products undergo rigorous testing for waterproofing (IP66/IP67), shock resistance, and long-term performance. Constructed with marine-grade aluminum housings, UV-stabilized lenses, and energy-efficient LED modules, our lights offer extended service life, reduced power consumption, and minimal maintenance requirements—key advantages for commercial and recreational marine applications alike.

Sourcing port and starboard lights from Star Marine China provides significant cost-efficiency without compromising quality. As a vertically integrated manufacturer based in Hangzhou, we control the full production cycle—from raw material procurement to final assembly and testing. This allows us to maintain strict quality control while optimizing production costs. Additionally, our strategic location in China’s industrial heartland ensures access to efficient logistics networks, enabling competitive pricing and reliable delivery timelines for global clients.

The following table outlines key performance specifications of Star Marine’s standard LED port and starboard light series:

By combining regulatory compliance, robust engineering, and cost-effective manufacturing, Hangzhou Star Marine Technology delivers navigation lighting solutions that enhance maritime safety while supporting the economic objectives of shipowners and outfitters worldwide.

Technical Specs & Approval

Technical Specifications: Port and Starboard Navigation Lights

Hangzhou Star Marine Technology Co., Ltd. designs and manufactures port and starboard navigation lights to stringent international maritime safety standards, primarily adhering to COLREGs 1972 (Annex I) and ISO 25753:2012. These critical navigation aids ensure vessel visibility during darkness or restricted visibility, with precise chromaticity, intensity, and horizontal sectors. Our fixtures prioritize operational reliability in harsh marine environments through robust material selection, advanced sealing, and compliance-driven optical performance. All units undergo rigorous factory testing per IEC 60529 and IMO MSC.253(83) requirements prior to export.

Material Composition
Housing construction utilizes either marine-grade 6061-T6 aluminum alloy or AISI 316L stainless steel, selected based on client operational profiles. Aluminum variants offer optimal weight reduction (density 2.7 g/cm³) and inherent corrosion resistance via anodized finishes (minimum 25µm thickness), suitable for coastal and offshore vessels. Stainless steel models provide superior impact resistance and longevity in high-abrasion environments like ice-class or heavy-duty workboats, featuring electropolished surfaces (Ra ≤ 0.8 µm) to prevent pitting corrosion. Lens materials are exclusively optical-grade polycarbonate (UL 94 V-0 rated) with UV-stabilized coatings, ensuring 50,000-hour luminance retention under continuous solar exposure.

Watertight Integrity
Watertightness is certified to IP67/IP68 standards (IEC 60529), validated through 30-minute submersion at 1-meter depth and 10,000-cycle pressure testing. Dual O-ring sealing systems employ fluorosilicone (FKM) gaskets rated for -40°C to +200°C, compressed within precision-machined grooves to maintain integrity during thermal cycling. Housing joints utilize helicoil-threaded inserts to prevent galling during maintenance, while cable entries integrate nickel-plated brass PG9/PG11 glands with integrated strain relief. Salt spray resistance exceeds 2,000 hours per ASTM B117, verified through independent third-party certification for all export shipments.

Dimensional Parameters
Fixture dimensions balance compactness with thermal management requirements. Standard housings maintain a maximum projection depth of 120 mm to minimize windage while accommodating LED arrays and heat sinks. Lens diameters follow COLREGs minimums: 190 mm for vessels ≥ 12m, with proportional scaling for smaller craft. Mounting interfaces comply with ISO 14187, featuring dual M8 stainless steel studs spaced at 60 mm ±0.2 mm center-to-center for universal bracket compatibility. Weight optimization ensures aluminum models remain under 1.8 kg and steel variants under 3.2 kg, critical for stability calculations in small craft installations.

The following table details key technical parameters for Hangzhou Star’s standard export configuration:

Hangzhou Star Marine Technology guarantees all navigation lights meet or exceed flag state and classification society requirements (DNV, LR, ABS, etc.). Documentation packages include EU Declaration of Conformity, IEC test reports, and material traceability certificates for seamless global customs clearance. Technical support for installation and regulatory compliance is provided directly by our export engineering team.

Shipbuilding Solutions

Complete Port and Starboard Light Solutions for Shipbuilding and Repair by Hangzhou Star Marine Technology

Hangzhou Star Marine Technology Co., Ltd. delivers comprehensive marine outfittings solutions tailored for both new shipbuilding projects and vessel repair operations. As a trusted provider in the maritime industry, we specialize in the supply of high-performance port and starboard navigation lights, engineered to meet international regulatory standards and ensure operational safety across all vessel types. Our integrated approach combines product reliability, technical support, and rapid response logistics to support shipyards and repair facilities worldwide.

Our port and starboard lights are designed in strict compliance with COLREG (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea) and certified under recognized marine standards including IMO, IEC 60945, and MED. Constructed with marine-grade aluminum and UV-resistant polycarbonate lenses, our lighting systems offer superior corrosion resistance and long-term durability in harsh offshore environments. Each unit undergoes rigorous testing for water ingress (IP66/IP67 rated), shock resistance, and photometric performance to guarantee visibility at required ranges.

For new shipbuilding projects, Hangzhou Star Marine Technology provides full technical documentation, CAD drawings, and installation support to ensure seamless integration into the vessel’s electrical and navigation systems. Our engineering team collaborates directly with naval architects and shipbuilders to customize mounting configurations, cable routing, and control panel interfaces. This collaborative model reduces commissioning time and ensures regulatory compliance from keel laying to sea trials.

In vessel repair and retrofit scenarios, we offer rapid replacement solutions with global shipping and technical advisory services. Our inventory management system ensures fast dispatch of standard and legacy models, minimizing downtime during dry dock periods. We support multiple voltage inputs (12V, 24V, 110V, 220V) and offer LED retrofits for older vessels seeking energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.

Customer responsiveness is central to our service model. With a dedicated export team and strategic logistics partners, we guarantee order processing within 24 hours and delivery to major global ports within 7–10 days. Our after-sales support includes on-site assistance, remote troubleshooting, and lifecycle maintenance planning.

The following table outlines key specifications of our standard port and starboard light series:

Hangzhou Star Marine Technology stands as a strategic partner in marine outfittings, delivering certified, reliable, and efficiently deployed navigation lighting solutions for the global maritime sector.

Packaging & Logistics

Packaging & Logistics Protocol for Marine Navigation Lights

Hangzhou Star Marine Technology implements rigorously standardized packaging and logistics procedures for all port and starboard navigation light exports, ensuring absolute compliance with international maritime regulations and safeguarding product integrity throughout global transit. Our methodology prioritizes protection against physical shock, moisture ingress, and environmental hazards inherent in ocean freight, while strictly adhering to phytosanitary and dimensional requirements mandated by destination countries. This systematic approach is fundamental to delivering fully operational, certified equipment ready for immediate vessel integration upon arrival.

All navigation light units undergo meticulous preparation prior to packing. Each assembly is individually sealed within anti-static, moisture-barrier polyethylene film, incorporating desiccant packs to mitigate internal condensation during extended voyages. These sealed units are then secured within custom-engineered wooden export cases constructed from kiln-dried plywood meeting ISPM 15 certification standards. ISPM 15 compliance is non-negotiable; our wooden packaging undergoes mandatory heat treatment at a minimum core temperature of 56°C for a sustained duration of 30 minutes, eliminating pest risks. Each case bears the official ISPM 15 mark, including the country code, producer code, and HT designation, ensuring seamless customs clearance worldwide. Internal case structures utilize high-density foam inserts precisely molded to each light model, immobilizing the unit and absorbing vibration and impact forces during handling and transport. Cases feature reinforced corners, heavy-duty hinges, and tamper-evident locking mechanisms to maintain security.

For consolidation and container stability, cases are systematically palletized onto robust, reusable steel pallets. These pallets are specifically designed for maritime cargo, featuring galvanized construction to resist corrosion, non-slip surfaces, and reinforced stringers capable of supporting dynamic loads exceeding 2000 kg. Steel pallets eliminate the risk of wood contamination or degradation associated with alternative materials and facilitate efficient handling via forklifts and automated systems at all major global ports. The combined case and pallet configuration optimizes container space utilization within standard 20ft and 40ft dry freight containers, maximizing cost efficiency for the client.

Export shipments originate exclusively from the major international container ports of Ningbo-Zhoushan and Shanghai, China’s premier maritime gateways. These ports offer unparalleled infrastructure, direct mainline vessel services to all global regions, and stringent adherence to IMO safety and security protocols. Our logistics team manages end-to-end documentation, including precise commercial invoices, detailed packing lists referencing ISPM 15 compliance, certificates of origin, and comprehensive shipping instructions. All documentation is prepared in strict accordance with the Harmonized System (HS) code 85122000 for marine navigation lights and incorporates necessary regulatory declarations for electrical safety standards.

The following table summarizes critical packaging specifications for our navigation light exports:

Quality assurance verification is integrated at every stage, from initial case assembly through final container stuffing. Pre-shipment inspections confirm packaging integrity, correct labeling, and documentation accuracy. This unwavering commitment to packaging excellence and streamlined logistics from Ningbo/Shanghai ensures Hangzhou Star Marine Technology consistently delivers navigation lights that arrive in pristine, fully operational condition, meeting the highest expectations of vessel operators and classification societies globally.

Contact Star Marine

For marine outfitters and vessel manufacturers seeking high-performance navigation lighting solutions, Hangzhou Star Marine Technology Co., Ltd. stands as a trusted partner in the global maritime industry. Specializing in the design, development, and export of certified port and starboard navigation lights, we deliver products engineered to meet international safety standards, including COLREGs, ISO 19015, and RAL color compliance. Our portfolio supports a wide range of maritime applications—from small recreational craft to commercial fleets and offshore support vessels—ensuring visibility, reliability, and regulatory compliance in all conditions.

At the heart of our success is a commitment to precision engineering and customer-centric service. Every navigation light produced at Star Marine undergoes rigorous photometric testing, environmental stress validation, and salt spray resistance checks to guarantee long-term performance in harsh marine environments. We utilize advanced LED technology to offer energy-efficient, low-maintenance lighting systems with extended service life and superior luminous intensity. Our products are available in various mounting configurations, voltages (12V–24V DC and 110V–230V AC), and housing materials including marine-grade aluminum and UV-stabilized polycarbonate.

To support global clients in selecting the optimal solution for their vessel specifications, we provide comprehensive technical documentation, IEC certification packages, and custom labeling for OEM partnerships. Whether you are upgrading an existing fleet or integrating navigation lights into new builds, our engineering team collaborates closely with clients to ensure seamless compatibility and regulatory alignment.

For direct assistance with product selection, technical specifications, or export inquiries, we encourage you to contact Kacher YE, Product Manager at Hangzhou Star Marine Technology. With extensive experience in marine electrical systems and international logistics, Kacher supports clients across Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas, ensuring timely delivery and after-sales support tailored to regional requirements.

Below is an overview of our standard port and starboard light configurations currently available for export:

All models include IP67/IP68 ingress protection, wide operating temperature range (-30°C to +70°C), and modular replaceable LED arrays to reduce lifecycle costs. Custom configurations—including dual-voltage operation, synchronized flashing patterns, and NMEA 2000 integration—are available upon request.

To request a quotation, technical datasheet, or arrange a product consultation, please reach out to Kacher YE at [email protected]. We respond to all inquiries within 12 business hours and offer virtual product walkthroughs for engineering teams. Partner with Hangzhou Star Marine Technology for navigation lighting solutions built to perform—wherever your voyage leads.