(News Portal – Dong Nai) - Phuoc An Port is expected to contribute to the development of the logistics sector in Dong Nai, attract large enterprises to register customs procedures, and increase local budget revenue from imports and exports.
Phuoc An Port viewed from above.
Phuoc An Port is centrally located in Nhon Trach District. The port consists of 9 berths, with a total length of nearly 3 km. Currently, 2 berths have been completed and are expected to be operational by September 2024, with full completion slated for 2026. According to several economic experts, once operational, Phuoc An Port will create opportunities for Dong Nai to attract investment enterprises, register customs procedures, and facilitate the transportation of import-export goods, contributing to increased local budget revenue and expanding logistics operations in Dong Nai.
Phuoc An Port is the largest in Dong Nai, covering an area of nearly 800 hectares, with a total investment capital of nearly VND 20 trillion. Many businesses expect Phuoc An Port to become a convenient, safe, and cost-effective storage and transportation hub for goods.
According to Petro Vietnam Phuoc An Port Investment & Operation Joint Stock Company (Phuoc An Port - PAP), all preparations for the first phase of port operations, with 2 berths, are nearly complete. Once operational, Phuoc An Port will be capable of handling both containerized and general cargo, accommodating vessels with a tonnage of 30,000 - 60,000 DWT. The port has a capacity to handle 2.2 million TEUs (1 TEU is equivalent to a 20-foot container) and 4 million tons of general cargo annually. It is projected to handle 0.2 million TEUs in 2024, gradually increasing to 1.18 million TEUs by 2030.
To meet the transportation needs at Phuoc An Port, the Dong Nai Customs Department (Dong Nai Customs) has advised the Provincial People's Committee to request the Ministry of Finance to convert Nhon Trach Customs Branch outside the port into a seaport customs branch (also known as a border gate customs branch). Mr. Pham Quang Quoc, Head of Nhon Trach Customs Branch, stated that Phuoc An Port is classified as a Type I international seaport. Meanwhile, Nhon Trach Customs Branch is currently only an out-of-port customs branch, which is not suitable for the current scale and growth rate. Specifically, the out-of-port customs branch lacks the legal authority to perform specialized state management of customs at the seaport. Therefore, converting the operational model of Nhon Trach Customs Branch into a seaport customs branch is necessary to ensure uniformity in the operation, management, and administration of import-export activities at Phuoc An Port. This also provides an opportunity to attract businesses to register customs procedures in Dong Nai, contributing to increased local budget revenue.
Several foreign investors exploring investment opportunities in Dong Nai have also gathered information about Phuoc An Port. Representatives of enterprises said that besides the advantages of road traffic and Long Thanh International Airport, the port system is also a concern for businesses to ensure convenience in location, efficient transportation, and customs clearance for goods to markets worldwide, ensuring speed, continuity, and cost savings.
Mr. Truong Hoang Hai, Director General of Phuoc An Port Company, stated that amid the current overloading of many traffic routes, particularly arterial roads connecting Dong Nai and the Southeast region, which limit cargo transportation capabilities, Phuoc An Port will provide a solution for businesses to reduce transportation costs and time, alleviating the growing congestion on roadways due to the transportation of goods between Ho Chi Minh City and the provinces in the Southeast, South Central, and Central Highlands regions, especially on National Highway 1 and National Highway 51, which are frequently congested. According to Mr. Hai, reducing transportation pressure on these routes, combined with the application of advanced technologies for port management and operation, will enhance Dong Nai's competitiveness in logistics, attracting businesses to invest and register customs procedures, and transport goods.
Mr. Le Thanh Van, Deputy Director of Dong Nai Customs, said the customs department is preparing personnel to serve the needs of inspecting and supervising cargo transportation when Phuoc An Port goes into operation. Additionally, Dong Nai Customs has advised the Provincial People's Committee to propose to the Ministry of Finance to approve the conversion of the Nhon Trach Customs Branch's operational model from an out-of-port customs branch to a seaport customs branch to meet the requirements of customs management at the seaport. This will be an opportunity for Dong Nai to develop and become one of the leading provinces in the country in import-export activities.
Director General of Phuoc An Port Truong Hoang Hai stated that the Movement Committee for the establishment of the Dong Nai Logistics Association has been formed and is calling on businesses to join the association to unite, build a logistics ecosystem, and develop together, contributing to elevating the economy of the province and region to new heights.