HCMC’s Cat Lai Port. Photo by Quynh Tran

Saigon New Port Corporation has received approval from customs authorities to transfer some of the containers piled up at its Cat Lai Port in HCMC to other ports.

The city Department of Customs had suggested shifting some of the cargo to ports such as Tan Cang Hiep Phuocto reduce the congestion at the port.

Cat Lai Port saw containers pile up rapidly after many companies had to suspend or reduce operations amid the Covid-19 outbreaks and attendant lockdown and social distancing, and has stopped accepting certain kinds of cargo until August 16.

It has also advised shipping lines to stop accepting imports for them, and incoming ships to only load and not unload cargo.

With ports also facing a shortage of employees due to the pandemic, the Ministry of Transport has urged HCMC and Dong Nai Province to allow port workers to commute to work and to set up quick testing facilities near ports for truck drivers.