The common leading mark design involves aligning the front and rear marks with the central axis of the navigation channel.The central channel marks,along with light buoys distributed on both sides of the channel,guide vessels safely in and out of the port.However,in northern ports,the winter freezing period brings large volumes of floating ice,which can damage or displace these floating marks.This poses a risk to navigation safety in channel segments where the effectiveness of central leading marks is compromised.Additionally,relying solely on central leading marks provides limited navigational assistance for two-way traffic during vessel meetings.To address these issues,Multi-group leading marks can be installed to meet different pilotage needs.However,current design standards for leading marks primarily focus on parameters for central channel marks,offering little practical guidance for designing multiple sets.The entrance channel of the Huanghua Port Coal Terminal accommodates two-way traffic for 70,000 DWT vessels,making its leading mark design a typical reference for multi-group leading marks design in northern ports.This study examines the parameter selection process in multi-group leading marks design through project examples,highlighting key considerations.It proposes a method for determining the lateral spacing of multi-group leading marks and outlines design principles for side leading marks.The study also summarizes the navigational environmental characteristics during ice periods in northern ports and analyzes suitable scenarios for deploying multi-group leading marks.Finally,it identifies the main technical points for leading marks design in northern areas of China,providing reference and guidance for similar projects and the revision of industry standards.