Synchronous investment in Hai Phong seaport helps the city quickly become an important link in the regional logistics chain.

Hai Phong seaport has become an important link in the goods supply chain and is increasingly becoming a transit port in Southeast Asia and internationally.

Hai Phong is known as the city with the top seaport system in the country, accounting for 17.5% of Vietnam's seaports and 73% of the Red River Delta's seaports.

Forming a seaport chain

With a planned cargo throughput of 215.5 million tons/year, Hai Phong seaport, along with Ba Ria - Vung Tau seaport (236.9 million tons/year) and Ho Chi Minh City seaport (253 million tons/year), has become the 3 seaports with the largest cargo throughput nationwide. Transporting goods by sea also reduces the burden on other types of transportation, while also minimizing costs for the logistics industry.

To maximize the advantages of seaports, Hai Phong City has deployed the construction of a system of economic zones and industrial parks with outstanding production and business conditions such as Dinh Vu - Cat Hai Economic Zone, which is over 22,000 hectares wide and is synchronously connected to the international deep-water port cluster in Lach Huyen - one of the largest seaports in Vietnam. This area can accommodate ships with a capacity of 200,000 tons and is multimodally linked in the international transport network.

At Lach Huyen deep-water port area, along with berths 1 and 2 that have been put into operation since 2018, berths 3, 4, 5, 6 have been and are preparing to be put into operation in 2025, which can accommodate ships with a capacity of more than 18,000 TEUs. At the same time, Hai Phong City is also deploying the construction of berths 7 and 8 and calling for investment in the remaining berths in Lach Huyen. Having new ports operating in Lach Huyen will help transport goods directly to America and Europe without having to transit through a third country. Thereby, helping to reduce time and costs, and improve the competitiveness of Vietnamese goods.

According to Mr. Le Quang Trung - Deputy General Director of Vietnam National Shipping Lines, Hai Phong seaport is becoming a priority destination for shipping alliances thanks to important strategic factors. The operation of deep-water berths at Lach Huyen wharf area helps quickly connect Vietnam with key markets such as North America, Europe and intra-Asia. Port operators are also constantly investing in modern equipment with the ability to quickly release ships, helping to optimize operational efficiency and minimize costs for shipping lines.

"In order for Hai Phong seaport to become an international transit port, strengthening cooperation and opening new service routes directly connecting ports in the United States, Europe and intra-Asia needs to be paid more attention and promoted. This solution further strengthens the strategic position of Hai Phong port in international transport routes,” Mr. Trung added.

Creating a development launch pad

Resolution No. 45 and Resolution No. 30 of the Politburo both identify Hai Phong as a modern international logistics service center with the core being an international gateway seaport.

According to the Master Plan for the development of Vietnam's seaport system for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050 approved by the Prime Minister, Hai Phong seaport is a special seaport in the national port system with the functions of an international gateway port and a national general port. In particular, a high focus is placed on developing the Lach Huyen - Nam Do Son - Van Uc wharf area.

Specifically, continue to develop the Lach Huyen wharf area with the function of a gateway combined with international transit and expand Nam Do Son port into a gateway port, combined with international transit, combined with national defense and security when required. At the same time, add a liquid cargo port and a general cargo port at Cai Trap Island (Cat Hai); Van Uc port at the mouth of Van Uc River, Tien Lang District; inherit Dinh Vu wharf area, add wharves serving general cargo, containers, petroleum, etc.

Also according to the Planning, Nam Do Son port will have the capacity to receive container ships with a capacity of up to 18,000 TEU; general cargo ships, bulk cargo ships up to 200,000 tons, liquid/gas cargo ships up to 150,000 tons, passenger ships up to 225,000 GT. Van Uc river port will receive general cargo ships, bulk cargo ships, liquid/gas cargo ships up to 10,000 tons...

The completion of modern and synchronous investment in the seaport area in Hai Phong has opened up many new opportunities for the city in the logistics industry. In particular, this will also be an opportunity for Hai Phong to welcome the "tycoons" of shipping in the world, contributing to Hai Phong soon reaching the goal of becoming an international transit port.

Previously, Hai Phong City signed a cooperation agreement with Vietnamese and American enterprises on the research and development of the Nam Do Son Port project, building it into a modern gateway port for the transit of domestic and international goods of Vietnam. Thereby, contributing to improving capacity and exploiting the potential for Hai Phong to become a "modern international logistics service center" of the country and the world.

It is expected that by 2026 at the latest, Hai Phong will start the wharfs at Nam Do Son port. Thus, Hai Phong seaport will completely become an important link in the supply chain of goods and increasingly become a transit port in the Southeast Asian region and internationally.

Source: Dien Dan Doanh Nghiep