With tens of millions of tons of import and export goods every year, Hai Phong port area is the largest trade hub in the North and has prepared plans to cope with cargo congestion amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hai Phong port area has not been overloaded. Photo: T.Binh.

Prevent cargo congestion

The cargo congestion at Cat Lai port (HCMC) is attracting the attention of the public, especially import-export businesses. As the area with the second largest volume of import and export goods in the country (after Ho Chi Minh City), what have the authorities in Hai Phong done to prevent congestion in the Hai Phong port area?

Speaking to Customs News on Thursday, Deputy Director of Hai Phong Port Authority Nghiem Quoc Vinh said from the situation in Cat Lai port area, the unit has held many meetings with competent agencies and warehouse, yard and port operators in the area to take the initiative in ensuring the flow of goods amid the pandemic.

According to Mr. Nghiem Quoc Vinh, the flow of goods in Hai Phong port area is now convenient.

That is because Hai Phong port area consists of many ports owned by large port operators, so if the main port is overloaded, goods will be transported to other ports or to warehouses, yards, and inland container depots (ICD) in the port area.

In addition, the production centers of import and export goods through the Hai Phong port are concentrated in many provinces and cities such as Hai Phong, Hanoi, Hai Duong, Hung Yen, Thai Binh, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Vinh Phuc and Ha Nam, etc. The production activities in these localities are still quite stable so the circulation of goods is smooth.

Mr. Cao Hong Phong, Director of Nam Hai Dinh Vu Terminal (belonging to Gemadept Group), said Nam Hai Dinh Vu Terminal has a designed clearance capacity of 500,000 teus per year and a storage capacity of 12,000 to 13,000 teus.

“Currently, the volume of goods stored at the port is over 80% of capacity and the circulation is smooth, so congestion is unlikely to happen. If there is congestion, the firm also takes the initiative to take the goods to warehouses, yards and ICDs," said Mr. Cao Hong Phong.

According to a representative of Hai Phong Port Joint Stock Company – the enterprise with the largest market share in the area – the largest port of import and export in the system is Tan Vu port with a storage capacity of more than 17,000 teus. Currently, the volume of goods stored at Tan Vu is approximately the designed capacity, however, goods still travel smoothly and have not seen congestion.

"If overload occurs in Tan Vu, we will move the goods to ports in the system such as Chua Ve, Hoang Dieu, or warehouses, yards, ICDS around the port," a representative of Hai Phong Port Joint Stock Company said.

In fact, four main seaport operators in Hai Phong port, including Hai Phong Port Joint Stock Company; Tan Cang Corporation; Vietnam Container Joint Stock Company (VICONSHIP) and Gemadept Joint Stock Company own many ports, warehouses and yards, plus the initiative of stakeholders, so the congestion like Cat Lai port is nearly impossible.

Customs agency is ready for coordination and creating favourable conditions for port operators 

Hai Phong Customs Department is now managing 46 seaports, one international airport (Cat Bi) and three inland container depots (ICD). In which, 18 ports have mixed goods (both import and export goods and domestic goods) including: 15 seaports, one airport, two ICDs.

In addition, there are 16 specialized ports, six ports are only for import and export goods five ports are only for domestic goods and five ports are not in operation.

Speaking to Customs News, Deputy Director of Hai Phong Customs Department Nguyen Kien Giang said port operation is the main responsibility of port authorities and port operators. But Hai Phong Customs Department is always proactive and ready to create the most favorable conditions for quick clearance and to avoid congestion.

If the volume of goods is overloaded at the port, Hai Phong Customs Department will promptly prepare a plan to carry out customs procedures, inspection and control when transporting imported and exported goods to other ports or warehouses and ICDS. If the case is beyond the department’s authority, the department will promptly report to leaders at all levels.