Improving the efficiency of seaport operations in Nghe An province.
(Baonghean.vn) - According to forecasts, the demand for import and export goods through seaports in Nghe An province will increase to 20-30 million tons of goods per year in the coming period. Meanwhile, the province has 5 planned seaports that have not yet fully exploited their potential and strengths. Maximizing the efficiency of seaport exploitation for development is expected to open up many new opportunities.
Great potential
According to the plan, Nghe An has the following seaports: Cua Lo Port area (currently has 5 berths, 3 warehouses and storage yards with an area of 39 hectares, total capacity of 5 berths is about 6 - 8 million tons of goods/year);The Vissai Cement PortNghi Thiet commune, Nghi Loc district has a land area of approximately 407.15 hectares, serving ships from 70,000 DWT (tons) to 100,000 DWT; DKC oil and gas port (a specialized port serving the import and export of petroleum products for large ships up to 49,000 DWT); the deep-water port north of Cua Lo port (construction scale includes 1 berth for 30,000 DWT ships and 1 berth for 50,000 DWT ships, with a land area of approximately 20 hectares. The project is currently in the process of completing legal procedures) andDong Hoi portIt has an area of 1,096.7 hectares (including both land and water areas).
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| Large cargo ships load and unload goods at Vissai - Nghi Thiet port. Photo: Sach Nguyen. |
In recent years, Nghe An province has attracted many investors to build industrial parks, resulting in a huge demand for the import and export of general cargo, containers, and specialized goods at ports accommodating large vessels of 70,000 DWT and over 100,000 DWT. However, port infrastructure in Nghe An still has many limitations.
The North Cua Lo General and Container Port area (Cua Lo Deepwater Port) has not yet been developed. The new Cua Lo port area currently has 5 berths in operation, and the Cua Lo port channel is experiencing siltation (depth -5.9m), only allowing ships of 10,000 DWT to 30,000 DWT with reduced load to dock. The maximum operating capacity of the Cua Lo port cluster is only 6-8 million tons of general cargo and containers per year. The projected demand for import and export goods through Nghe An province's seaports in the coming period is expected to increase to 20-30 million tons per year.
To meet the current and future socio-economic development needs of Nghe An province, the Provincial People's Committee invites potential investors to participate.Developing and operating the seaport system.This process may involve upgrading, expanding the functionality, and developing specialized seaports within the province.
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| Planning for the Cua Lo - Nghi Thiet Port area. |
During working sessions between the Ministry of Transport, the People's Committee of Nghe An province, and consultants, many suggestions were made to expand the scale and add functions to the already invested port terminals, widen the shipping lanes to allow larger vessels to enter the ports; and continue reviewing and supplementing post-port logistics capabilities, connecting port infrastructure with the road transport network, connecting with regional ports such as Nghi Son (Thanh Hoa) and Vung Ang (Ha Tinh); and adding more area for logistics transshipment...
Regarding this area, the Standing Vice Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial People's Committee, Le Hong Vinh, once affirmed the importance of port planning for the current period up to 2030 and with a vision to 2050. Based on this, the province and consulting units must calculate the cargo handling capacity at the regional port group; consider the feasibility of the plans; make specific calculations for the rational construction and operation of general, specialized, and tourism seaports; and review land resources for port logistics areas, inland ports, and logistics zones…
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| Operations at the Nghi Thiet deep-water port area (Nghi Loc) belonging to Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company. Photo: Xuan Thuy |
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Nhat stated that the process of developing seaports in Nghe An province is crucial.We need to develop a strategy and a long-term vision.The planning and development process is open-ended so that when there is a large volume of cargo, investment in upgrading the port can be made without having to request adjustments to the plan, as these procedures are very complex.
Efficiently utilize seaports.
Recognizing the potential of the Nghi Thiet seaport area, with a depth of -9 to -13.5m, and alongside the existing specialized port serving vessels of 70,000 DWT - 100,000 DWT (operated according to Decision No. 1625/QD-CHHVN dated October 17, 2017, of the Vietnam Maritime Administration), The Vissai Group and Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company are investing in port facilities for the development of a multi-purpose port. Based on this, the berths within Specialized Port Area No. 1 can be rationally utilized.
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| Workers anchor ships at Nghi Thiet port. Photo: Sach Nguyen. |
Currently, the company has completed the investment and construction of berths 1, 2, and 3, as well as the breakwater, channel system, water area, and pilot boarding and disembarking area, accommodating vessels up to 30,000 DWT - 50,000 DWT (currently operating and exploiting according to Decision No. 1052/QD-CHHVN dated July 9, 2020, of the Vietnam Maritime Administration). Simultaneously, the company is accelerating the construction of berths 4, 5, 6, and 7 according to the approved plan. The People's Committee of Nghe An province and Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company have also proposed to the Ministry of Transport to add general cargo and container berths to the Vissai Nghi Thiet seaport area.
“With the Ministry of Transport's approval to adjust ship sizes and add functions to Berth No. 1, the Vissai Nghi Thiet Port area in Nghe An will certainly become more effective. For a long time, Berth No. 2 has played a crucial role in enabling Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company to export clinker and cement domestically and to dozens of countries. Another advantage is that the D4 road connecting National Highway 1A with Vissai Nghi Thiet Port has been upgraded, facilitating cargo transportation. We are accelerating the construction and completion of seaports and logistics services related to cargo storage, packaging, warehousing, and goods movement… to serve businesses needing to load and unload goods at Vissai Port in Nghe An,” affirmed Mr. Hoang Minh Tuan, Director of Song Lam Cement Joint Stock Company.
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| Cement conveyor belt at Vissai - Nghi Thiet port. Photo: Sach Nguyen. |