VIỆT NAM UPGRADES SEAPORT NETWORK TO STRENGTHEN MARITIME COMPETITIVENESS

Policies encouraging private investment have enabled Việt Nam's seaport system to make significant strides, enhancing the country's position on the global maritime map.

Hải Phòng Port. Hải Phòng City has emerged as one of Việt Nam's key logistics hubs thanks to an integrated transport network. — VNA/VNS Photo Mạnh Tú

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam is accelerating the development of its seaport system and multimodal transport network as part of its strategy to become a strong maritime nation under the Party Central Committee’s Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW on the sustainable development of the marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045.

The country's growing maritime standing was highlighted in the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2025, jointly released by the World Bank (WB) and S&P Global Market Intelligence. For the second consecutive year, Cái Mép Port and Hải Phòng Port ranked among the world's 20 most efficient container ports, with Cái Mép placed 11th and Hải Phòng 13th.

Hải Phòng City has emerged as one of Việt Nam's key logistics hubs thanks to an integrated transport network combining expressways, an international airport, a planned high-speed railway and a deep-water port capable of handling vessels of more than 200,000 deadweight tonnages (DWT) with direct connections to Europe and the Americas.

The city's port infrastructure expanded further in 2025 with the inauguration of the privately funded Hateco Hai Phong International Container Terminal (HHIT), which can simultaneously accommodate two container ships of up to 200,000DWT. Hải Phòng Port Joint Stock Company also commissioned Berths No. 3 and No. 4 at Lạch Huyện Port, adding up to 1.5 million TEUs in annual handling capacity.

Director of the Vietnam Maritime and Waterways Administration Lê Đỗ Mười said policies encouraging private investment have enabled Việt Nam's seaport system to make significant strides, enhancing the country's position on the global maritime map.

In the first half of this year, cargo throughput via Việt Nam's seaports and inland waterways reached an estimated 687.5 million tonnes, up 18 per cent year-on-year, while container throughput rose 12 per cent to around 18 million TEUs.

Under the adjusted master plan for the seaport system for 2021-30 with a vision to 2050, Việt Nam is expected to invest more than VNĐ359 trillion (US$13.7 billion) in its port network.

Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyễn Xuân Sang said investments by leading global port operators, including APM Terminals, PSA International and SSA Marine, have helped build a modern port system capable of receiving some of the world's largest vessels, with capacities exceeding 200,000DWT.

He said placing seaports at the centre of logistics connectivity, promoting digital and green transformation, and developing a national logistics database are key to building an efficient and sustainable multimodal transport system. The Ministry of Construction is also finalising transport plans covering all five transport modes, while a draft Vietnam Maritime and Waterways Code introduces policies to strengthen multimodal transport and encourage greater private-sector participation.

According to the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 80–90 per cent of global merchandise trade is transported by sea, making seaports the backbone of international logistics networks linking maritime, road, rail, inland waterway and air transport.

Vietnam now has 34 seaports with 320 berths, handling more than 960 million tonnes of cargo in 2025, placing the country among the region's fastest-growing maritime markets.

Despite the progress, challenges remain, including inadequate maritime infrastructure in some localities, fragmented transport links and relatively high logistics costs.

To address these issues, the maritime sector is prioritising the development of seaports into national transport hubs, expanding multimodal connectivity and adopting integrated, data-driven logistics management. Industry representatives have also called for greater investment in rail and inland waterway links, inland container depots, logistics centres and a national logistics data platform to improve connectivity and enhance the efficiency of Việt Nam's transport network. — VNA/VNS

Source: VNS