The number of large and super-large ships docking at the Cai Mep - Thi Vai ports is increasing. Photo: ST

Welcoming the world's largest ships

Colonel Bui Van Quy, Deputy General Director of Saigon Newport Corporation, stated that the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port cluster is currently operating actively and plays an important role in the region's logistics activities. The Cai Mep - Thi Vai area has about 35 ports, of which 22 ports (19 official projects, 3 temporary projects) are currently operational, with a capacity of 117.8 million tons per year, including 7 container ports with a capacity of 6.8 million TEU per year.

Due to its many advantages, in recent years, the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port cluster has increasingly been chosen by shipping companies. According to the Vietnam Maritime Administration, over the past 5 years, the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port area has received increasingly larger ships each year. The total number of large ships over 80,000 tons entering and leaving the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port since 2017 has increased significantly, from 1,524 in 2017 to 1,644 in 2022.

Notably, the size of ships entering Cai Mep has also increased rapidly. Before 2011, the majority of ships entering the Cai Mep port cluster were under 80,000 DWT. However, in recent years, many large ships ranging from 132,000 DWT to over 200,000 DWT have docked at Cai Mep ports. Currently, 40% of service routes operate ships over 132,000 DWT. For example, in March 2023, the OOCL Spain, the largest container ship to dock at Cai Mep - Thi Vai port, had a total tonnage of over 230,000 DWT and a capacity of up to 24,188 TEU, making it one of the largest container ships in the world today.

Additionally, the Cai Mep port area has a larger number of mother ship routes to America and Europe compared to other Southeast Asian countries, second only to Malaysia and Singapore. Statistics from the Vietnam Maritime Administration show that by the end of 2023, Vietnam had received 25 sea transport routes to America, 22 of which originated from Cai Mep - Thi Vai. Furthermore, this area has 2 routes to Europe and 10 routes to intra-Asia. This number has tripled since 2018.

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, the Cai Mep port is planned as a gateway port and international transshipment hub. The port area includes container, general cargo, bulk, and liquid/gas ports, receiving container ships of 80,000 - 250,000 DWT or larger when conditions allow, and general, liquid/gas ships up to 150,000 DWT or larger, reduced in line with maritime route conditions. This advantage will enable the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port cluster to continue attracting investment to become the largest international transshipment gateway in the country, with regional and global significance.

Solutions to attract import-export enterprises

Despite many advantages, enterprises are still limit ed in directly using the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port cluster for import-export goods. Currently, the rate of direct container handling at Cai Mep - Thi Vai port is only about 13-15% of the port's throughput. The remaining over 85% of import-export goods are gathered and transported to areas such as Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong by barge.

Explaining why enterprises are still limit ed in directly using the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port cluster for customs clearance of import-export goods, Mr. Bui Van Quy cited three main reasons: traffic congestion on the road; most shippers are located in industrial zones in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Tay Ninh, making connections to Cat Lai port very close and convenient. Additionally, the logistics service ecosystem at the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port area has not been fully invested, making it difficult to access and persuade customers for direct handling. The area also lacks specialized cargo handling and service centers, as well as state quality inspection centers near the port.

Given its extremely important geographical position, economically, politically, and in terms of national defense, developing the port system at Cai Mep - Thi Vai is not just the task of Ba Ria - Vung Tau province but of the whole country. This is not only an immediate task but also a long-term one to maximize national competitive advantages with regional countries. To continue effectively utilizing the existing port system, especially container ports, and meet market trends in the near future, experts suggest focusing resources on investing in and improving the transport infrastructure connecting the port and its hinterland.

The Ministry of Transport and related ministries and agencies need to concentrate resources on speeding up the completion of the Phuoc An bridge project, connecting Ba Ria - Vung Tau's inter-port road with the Nhon Trach/Dong Nai area and the Ben Luc - Long Thanh expressway. Once these routes are operational, along with the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway currently under investment, it will facilitate quick and convenient transport connections from the southwestern provinces through Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai to Ba Ria - Vung Tau, reducing traffic pressure on the increasingly overloaded National Highway 51.

Furthermore, it is necessary to develop ports and hinterland infrastructure in combination. Priority should be given to creating favorable conditions for domestic enterprises with resources and experience to invest systematically in deep-water ports so that the Cai Mep Ha and Ha Luu Cai Mep deep-water ports truly become modern, fully connected ports with economic and national defense value. Port planning needs to be synchronized with the development of logistics service areas behind the port and planned land reserves to meet development needs, facilitating enterprises, shortening customs clearance times, and minimizing logistics costs.