Saigon Newport Corporation: Driving Seaport and ICD Modernization

In resilient defiance of myriad business challenges, Saigon Newport Corporation achieved triumphant success last year. The bustling flow of import and export containers coursing through its ports surged to an impressive 9.75 million TEUs, equivalent to nearly 140 million tons of goods. Notably, the throughput at the Tan Cang-Cai Mep Terminal Cluster soared by a remarkable 10%, surpassing 2.7 million TEUs.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends a ceremony held on February 13, issuing the directive to manage the first cargo of the Year of the Dragon at the Tan Cang - Cai Mep Port

Tan Cang - Cai Mep Terminal Cluster is currently located near the confluence of Thi Vai-Cai Mep River, 18 nautical miles from Vung Tau pilot station. The shipping channel has a depth of 15.5 meters and the harbor has a depth of 16.8 meters. Currently, Saigon Newport Corporation is managing and operating three ports, including TCIT Terminal, Tan Cang - Cai Mep Thi Vai Terminal (TCTT) and Tan Cang - Cai Mep Terminal (TCCT), with a yard area of 108 ha and nearly 1,500 meters of wharves. This port cluster is capable of receiving three mother ships of 14,000 TEUs at the same time, served by a modern equipment system and professionally trained human resources. The cluster has been meeting the needs of customers and major shipping lines in the world. The cluster’s throughput accounts for nearly 60% in Cai Mep - Thi Vai area. Tan Cang - Cai Mep Terminal Cluster is a national gateway and a very convenient transshipment point for goods traded directly between Vietnam and countries around the world, especially Vietnam's main import and export markets in the Americas, Europe and Asia. The cluster has made important contributions to connecting and promoting import and export activities and economic development in the country.

In 2023, despite many difficulties, Saigon Newport Corporation successfully completed the work plan. The volume of import and export containers through its ports reached 9.75 million TEUs, equivalent to nearly 140 million metric tons of goods, up nearly 1% year on year (accounting for 56.8% of the country’s market share and 89.5% of the market share in Ho Chi Minh City area). Saigon Newport Corporation ranked 16th among the Top 20 largest container terminal clusters in the world by throughput. The throughput at Tan Cang - Cai Mep Terminal Cluster alone rose 10% to more than 2.7 million TEUs, accounting for 53.2% of the cargo throughput in Cai Mep - Thi Vai deep-water container terminal cluster.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the ceremony

After 15 years of development, TCIT has become the largest deepwater container terminal by throughput in Vietnam. TCIT is the second largest container terminal by throughput after Tan Cang - Cat Lai Terminal and holds the 1 position in the Cai Mep - Thi Vai Terminal Cluster with nearly 50% market share since its operation. TCIT has made an important contribution to the development of Vietnam's seaport industry and reached the world class. TCIT has received more than 5,000 mother ships on more than 60 international service routes of nearly 30 shipping lines worldwide, with a total throughput of nearly 18 million TEUs. TCIT is also one of the pioneers in linking production and business with environmental protection and enhancing digital transformation to foster greening process and sustainable development. In 2020, TCIT was honored to win the “Green Port” Award from the APEC Port Service Network Council (APSN), becoming the second port in Vietnam after Tan Cang - Cat Lai to garner this title. Thus, this has helped raise the position of Vietnam's seaports on the world map when “greening” is increasingly concerned by world port authorities.

Addressing the ceremony to welcome international vessels and announce the inaugural work order of the year at the Tan Cang - Cai Mep International Terminal (TCIT) under Saigon Newport Corporation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh underscored the significant role played by the heroic Vietnam People’s Army in the country’s overall achievements during 2023 with Saigon Newport Corporation emerging as a significant contributor. The Prime Minister explicitly emphasized Vietnam’s commitment to advancing the marine economy, with maritime transport identified as a task entrusted to the transport sector, including Saigon Newport Corporation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh partakes in a commemorative group photo with the officials and staff workers of the TCIT port

He noted that Vietnam is speeding up the implementation of three strategic breakthroughs, including the breakthrough in transportation infrastructure. So, Saigon Newport Corporation must play a role in developing seaports to connect inland clearance depots (ICDs) with major international ports in Vietnam; must support localities where its ports are located to develop better logistics to reduce logistics costs and improve the competitiveness of Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural products.

Prime Minister Chinh called upon Saigon Newport Corporation to play a pivotal role in the modernization of seaports and inland container depots (ICDs). The company is tasked with expediting the greening process, implementing digital transformation strategies within port operations, and harnessing science, technology, and innovation to establish smart ports that foster the circular economy, sharing economy, and knowledge economy.

Given Vietnam’s extensive trade relations with over 60 major global markets, facilitated by Free Trade Agreement (FTA) agreements, the volume of import and export transportation is substantial. Saigon Newport Corporation bears the responsibility of ensuring the seamless flow of goods. Additionally, the company must cultivate a high-quality workforce, not only for its own benefit but also for other affiliated units. Strengthening the capacity of member units and actively combating corruption and unethical practices are imperative.

Furthermore, Saigon Newport Corporation must uphold a clean, robust, and exemplary Party organization. By leveraging natural conditions in a sustainable, effective, and eco-friendly manner, the company can contribute significantly to Vietnam’s economic growth.

By Quang Tien - Cong Hoan, Vietnam Business Forum