Da Nang Seaport Eyes International Role

Da Nang Seaport Eyes International Role

Located in the central region of Vietnam, Da Nang is the country’s third biggest seaport after Hai Phong and Saigon and is an international harbour facilitating trade with other Asian ports. It is also a gateway for Vietnam’s Central Highlands to Northeast Thailand and South Laos. The port lies adjacent to national roads 1A and 14B, the Da Nang International Airport, and the country’s principal railway.

Da Nang seaport includes Tien Sa Port and Song Han Port with 116,000 sq. m of freight yards, 16,700 sq. m of warehouses, 11 wharves (two piers and nine quays) totalling 1,703m metres in length, and 13 berths (five at Tien Sa and eight at Song Han).

The depth of the berths at Tien Sa port is 11-12 metres [not taking into account tidal fluctuations] while the depth of berths in Song Han port is 6-7 metres. Da Nang seaport operates 24 hours a day with annual capacity of 3.5-4 million tons. The seaport is equipped with modern facilities including seven tugboats of 305-1,700 horsepower each. It also has 16 mobile cranes with lifting capacities ranging from 1.5 tons to 42 tons each, and 12 engines.

Major goods imported via the Da Nang Seaport are clinker, fertilizer and steel, while key exports include eucalyptus wood, sandal, titan, cement and coal. The seaport provides main loading, discharging, exchanging and preserving merchandise services; guiding vessels in and out of the area; transporting goods; leasing stores; and supplying fuels, fresh water, food and foodstuff for shipping companies.

According to its development plan, Da Nang Seaport will upgrade Tien Sa Port with targeted investment of UU$45,974,000. To date, 250 metres of dyke, one container yard, one management hall and stores have been completed.

A project to construct warehouses for Tien Sa Port with investment of VND29billion is in its preliminary phase of site clearance. The port will also invest VND10 billion to repair its fleet in 2004-05 period.

Da Nang seaport plans to receive 2.35 million tons of goods in 2004 with total revenues from providing services of VND88 billion. It has pledged to create more favourable conditions for its clients in order to attract vessels docking at the central port. In the coming years, Da Nang seaport will be upgraded into a modern container seaport in the central region. Information technology will be applied in the management of the seaport, promising a reliable destination for customers.

• Cong Ly