Prospects from seaport business recovery

By the end of 2020, throughput of seaports will continue to maintain growth momentum, despite the Covid-19 epidemic.

Economic integration creates opportunities for the development of seaport systems as well as sea transport, but there are still many challenges, especially modernization, improving productivity and quality of service. To solve these problems requires synchronous coordination and building a long-term strategy.

Production of goods continues to increase

According to the Vietnam Maritime Administration, the total output of goods through seaports in 2020 is more than 689 million tons, increased 4% over the same period in 2019.

In terms of volume, container cargo through the seaport reached 22.14 million teus (standard 20 feet container), an increase of 13%. Cargo volume transported by the Vietnamese fleet is estimated at 159.4 million tons, up 3% and container shipping is estimated at 2.6 million, up 8% over the same period last year. Currently, the fleet of Vietnamese national flag ships is responsible for nearly 100% of domestic freight by sea.

Ports with the highest volume of import and export goods are Ho Chi Minh City ports with 162.9 million tons, Vung Tau with 112.9 million tons, Quang Ninh with 109.6 million tons, Hai Phong with 83.9 million tons ...

In Dong Nai, Dong Nai Port Joint Stock Company recorded that in 2020, more than 10 million tons of goods were exchanged here, including nearly 800,000 Teus of import and export container cargo. Only in the first 10 months of the year, the company has completed the production and business tasks of the unit for the entire year 2020.

According to the company leaders, the service business has an advantage compared to the first months of the year because Vietnam can soon control the epidemic. Sectors in the economy entered a state of activity under normal conditions. In addition, the suspension of the Dong Nai bridge toll booth from 24^th of August creates a competitive advantage for the company to exploit container cargo between Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong. As a result, the output of the container industry increased by nearly 15% over the same period. Enterprises also have preferential policies to attract more partners to cooperate alongside traditional customers.

Speed up seaport development

Good growth is a positive signal for shipping business, seaports, but in the long term, there are still many worries. Especially the current reality, apart from seaports, the sea transport capacity of Vietnam is still limited, mainly undertaking the transportation of goods circulating domestically.

To ensure the maritime economic development target, Vietnam is currently implementing 3 plans. Specifically, the detailed plan for the group of seaports, wharves, buoys and water areas in the period of 2021 - 2030 with a vision to 2050. Detailed plan for development of seaport land and waters in the period of 2021 - 2030, vision to 2050 and master plan on development of Vietnam's seaport system in the period of 2021 - 2030 with a vision to 2050.

According to the Vietnam seaport system development plan approved by the Prime Minister, the country has 6 groups of seaports with 45 operating seaports. Including 2 international gateway seaports, 12 major regional ports, 18 local general ports and 13 petroleum ports at sea.

International economic integration through new-generation trade agreements will bring many development opportunities for Vietnam's logistics industry, especially seaport business and sea transport.

For Dong Nai Port, in order to take advantage of its advantages, over the past years, the unit has continuously invested in expanding the wharf and adding new wharves in the area of Go Dau Port directly under the jurisdiction to receive large ships. Accordingly, building 1 more B5 pier, expanding 8 more hectares of yards in the area of Go Dau Port, of which 5 hectares of leased yards are adjacent to Ba Ria - Vung Tau province to welcome the volume of goods for upcoming year. Long Binh Tan port has also been increased its service capacity.

Along with investment in facilities is the issue of improving the quality of human resources. From there, meeting the requirements of modernizing the quality of logistics services, applying technology to the management and coordination of goods and containers ... The goal that Dong Nai Port aims to be is sustainable development and among the top 5 major seaports of Vietnam.