The Vietnam Maritime Administration (VMA), under the Ministry of Transport, is preparing a proposal to enhance the operational capacity of public maritime infrastructure and existing port facilities to accommodate the growing number of large cargo vessels.
With the increasing size of ships, including Megamax vessels on Asia-Europe and Asia-North America routes, fuel efficiency per transported TEU has improved. However, these larger ships require deeper navigation channels, increased draft capacity, and higher safety and infrastructure standards.
The proposal aims to address infrastructure limitations at Vietnamese ports due to natural conditions. It suggests mechanisms and solutions to ensure ports can efficiently and safely handle larger vessels while remaining competitive for global shipping lines.
Key elements of the proposal include enhancing current maritime infrastructure, developing a roadmap for future upgrades, and prioritizing safety protocols for handling larger vessels. The Ministry of Transport has instructed the VMA to review safety protocols at terminals handling ships beyond previous specifications and ensure port operators adhere to approved safety plans for smooth operations.
The Ministry has also directed the VMA to address any deficiencies before granting approval for ports to accommodate vessels exceeding their original design capacities.
The proposal emphasizes the importance of improving Vietnamese ports’ competitiveness in global supply chains. Upgrading port infrastructure, enhancing navigation channels, and strengthening safety measures are expected to position Vietnam as a leading maritime hub in the region and attract further investment from global shipping lines, benefiting the logistics and maritime industries.
(Source: Vietnam Plus)
