Since the beginning of the year, many foreign shipping companies have strengthened their route opening, introducing large ships into the Cai Mep Thi Vai (CM-TV) port group, opening up many opportunities for the logistics industry and seaports.

Many train companies have opened routes.

In late March 2023, Gemalink International Port successfully received a “super ship” Eastern Eastern Spain container ship carrying 24188 TEUs. This is the first voyage of the Spanish Eastern Group on the Asia Europe LL3 route, and also the first time that Vietnamese ports have received container ships with a tonnage exceeding 230000 deadweight tons.

The selection of Gemalink Port by OOCL as a reliable connection point in its service route once again affirms the capacity of Gemalink Port to receive the world’s largest generation of container ships today, meeting the strict requirements of international shipping lines, while further consolidating the important role of Cai Mep deep-water port cluster on transcontinental maritime routes.

Also in March 2023, SSIT Port (Saigon Port International Container Service Joint Venture Company Limited-SSA) welcomed the Hansa Lanka ship of the new intra-Asia service (Bengal route), operated by MSC. Hansa Lanka is one of six ships deployed on this route, connecting Vietnam with North China, South Korea, Bangladesh, and other Southeast Asian countries.

In March 2023, SSIT Port (Saigon Port SA International Container Services Joint Venture Co., Ltd.) received Lufthansa Sri Lanka ships operated by MSC for the New Neiya Service Line (Bangladesh Line). The Lufthansa Sri Lanka is one of the six ships deployed on this route, connecting Vietnam with northern China, South Korea, Bangladesh, and other Southeast Asian countries.

Previously, in January 2023, Tan Cang-Cai Mep Thi Vai (TCTT) welcomed the ship GOTTFRIED SCHULTE operating on the AWES/ISE service route for the first time. This is a weekly service, shortening transit times from CM-TV to New York to 31 days, Norfolk 33 days and Boston 36 days.

According to consulting firm Alphaliner (the world’s leading maritime research organization), 10000-21000 TEU ships account for 45% of all container ships expected that by the end of 2023, containers with a capacity of up to 18000 TEUs will account for 80% of ships operating on Asian routes. Shipping companies currently operate routes in Vietnam, and only CM-TV and Lach Huyen Port (Haiphong) are eligible to receive large ships. As these are two port groups with multiple deepwater ports, they not only meet the requirements of receiving large tonnage ships under the trend of international fleet development but also effectively utilize coastal resource funds through maximum cargo volume.

Mr. Phan Hoang Vu, Deputy General Manager of SSIT, stated that every vessel docked at the port brings opportunities and benefits, which helps to promote the fact that CM-TV seaports receive large vessels for consideration by other shipping companies. Not to mention, the current maritime expenses come from maritime safety guarantee fees, navigation fees, navigators, and so on. All of these are based on the capacity of ships, so the larger the ship, the greater the revenue generated and the greater the contribution to the national budget.

According to Phan Hoang Vu, Deputy General Manager of SSIT, Sharing: Opening routes and introducing large ships by operators will help port enterprises have a better time organizing ships and gain more experience next time. In addition, to receive large ships, port infrastructure must meet the requirements of operators, such as channel depth, loading and unloading capacity… Management agencies need to create conditions and Report to the company and carrier after testing and evaluation.

Improving competitiveness

According to Mr. Do Cong Khanh, President of Gemalink International Port and Deputy General Manager of Gemadept Co., Ltd., persuading shipping companies to bring large ships into the port is not easy. To achieve this, it requires sufficient preparation from port and shipping companies. The carrier has put forward many requirements and conditions, including technical, safety, cargo receiving and processing capabilities, logistics and infrastructure requirements; Thread depth…

The evaluation of harbor enterprises indicates that the infrastructure structure of the harbor in the CM-TV area is still limited. The depth of the channel in front of the current berth is 14 meters (without tide), while the draft of the mother ship is 15-16 meters. This reduces the carrying capacity of the ship. In order to receive ships, enterprises must regularly dredge and ensure the depth before qualified berths. However, the paperwork for applying for a dredging permit takes a long time. Enterprises hope to attract shipping companies with competitive unit prices, but impose environmental taxes on dredging materials.

“This has led to many costs and reduced the competitiveness of Vietnamese seaports with other ports in the region. Shipping companies are also concerned about long-term sources of goods, coupled with inadequate transportation systems. Not to mention, there are also many procedures for transferring goods between ports, making it difficult to break through”, Mr. Do added that this is a means of transportation.

Given this fact, recently, harbor enterprises have proposed solutions to the Provincial People’s Committee to support harbor enterprises in the region during port operations. Do not treat dredging waste as minerals, so that the port can proactively dredge and maintain it as early as possible with appropriate funding. This is to ensure that the water depth in front of the dock is always suitable for large ships to unload at the CM-TV port, ensuring the flow of goods.

Source: Ba Ria-Vung Tau E-news.