The necessity of Can Gio Port for Ho Chi Minh City

By baogiaothong.vn - 03/03/2023

Adjusting the investment planning for new ports in Can Gio area from potential to implementation is highly necessary.

On the afternoon of March 3, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyễn Xuân Sang and the working delegation had a meeting with the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City regarding the proposal to build the Cần Giờ international transshipment port.

According to Mr. Bùi Hòa An, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, it is necessary to adjust the investment planning period for new ports in the Cần Giờ area from potential ports to implementation in the 2021-2030 period. By 2030, the existing ports will not be able to meet the cargo throughput demand.

Specifically, the actual cargo throughput at Ho Chi Minh City seaports in 2021 was 164.19 million tons. Assuming an average annual growth rate of 3.8% (the average growth rate for group 4 seaports according to Decision No. 1579/QĐ-TTg dated September 22, 2021), by 2030 it will be 229.67 million tons; by 2035 it will be 276.76 million tons; by 2040 it will be 333.49 million tons; and by 2050 it will be 484.24 million tons.

The Cát Lái - Phú Hữu port area will maintain its current scale, with cargo throughput decreasing from 93 to 85 million tons/year from 2018 to 2022. It is expected to handle about 85 million tons/year by 2030.

The port area on the Nhà Bè River primarily handles liquid goods, with cargo throughput ranging from 15 to 16 million tons/year from 2018 to 2022. By 2030, the expected cargo throughput is about 16 million tons/year.

The Hiệp Phước port area on the Soài Rạp River handled cargo throughput ranging from 13 to 14 million tons/year from 2018 to 2022. If the average annual growth rate is 15%, it will reach 43 million tons by 2030.

The port area on the Saigon River will operate as it is and will be relocated by 2030. Cargo throughput ranged from 25 to 27 million tons/year from 2018 to 2022. The planned capacity by 2030 is 0 million tons.

Cargo throughput at buoy areas on the Gò Gia River, Ngã Bảy River, etc., reached 19.6 million tons in 2022. If the average annual growth rate is 3.8%, it will reach 26 million tons by 2030.

Thus, the expected cargo throughput at the existing port areas (Cát Lái - Phú Hữu port area, Nhà Bè River port area, Hiệp Phước port area, Saigon River port area) by 2030 is 170 million tons.

Compared to the cargo throughput demand at Ho Chi Minh City seaports by 2030, there is a shortfall of 229.67-170=59.67 million tons. Therefore, it is necessary to build a new port in the Cần Giờ area in the 2021-2030 period to ensure that the cargo throughput of Ho Chi Minh City's seaports is met by 2030 and to accommodate the growth in maritime cargo throughput in the period after 2030.

The Department of Transport representative proposed that the Ministry of Transport soon organize the development of the overall planning adjustment for the development of Vietnam's seaports in the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, and submit it to the Prime Minister for approval to amend Decision No. 1579/QĐ-TTg as follows: Adjust the planning period for new port investment in the Cần Giờ area from potential ports to implementation in the 2021-2030 period; add the function of an international transshipment port at the Cần Giờ port area; upgrade Ho Chi Minh City seaport from a type 1 seaport to a special seaport; update this adjustment in the detailed planning dossier for seaport groups, port areas, wharves, buoy areas, and water areas in the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050...

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyễn Xuân Sang said that to adjust the Cần Giờ port planning from potential to reality, the Ministry of Transport has assigned the Vietnam Maritime Administration to immediately start the process according to Decision No. 1579, and coordinate with the Department of Planning and Investment to urgently work with the Ministry of Planning and Investment to finalize the implementation roadmap.

However, this is a significant issue, so the Prime Minister has directed not only the Ministry of Transport but also Ho Chi Minh City to take responsibility. Specifically, according to Government Resolution 154, the Prime Minister assigned Ho Chi Minh City to develop a proposal to study the construction of the Cần Giờ international transshipment port and submit it to the Prime Minister for approval this year.

According to the Deputy Minister, many tasks must be carried out simultaneously, including the proposal results serving as a scientific basis for approved planning. After having the planning, investment proposals must follow. All three tasks need to be done in parallel.

The Deputy Minister proposed that the city assign Saigon Port to develop the proposal for the city to gather opinions, appraise, and submit it to the Prime Minister in April.

Mr. Bùi Xuân Cường, Deputy Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, agreed with the assessments and directions of the Ministry of Transport. He stated that Ho Chi Minh City will immediately assign related units to implement and coordinate with Saigon Port to expedite the development of the proposal and other necessary content.

Mr. Bùi Xuân Cường emphasized the need to continue synchronizing, updating, and adjusting according to Plan 1579 in conjunction with Resolution 24 of the Politburo and Government Resolution 154 on the construction of the Cần Giờ international transshipment port, focusing on evaluating the scale and feasibility. Based on Plan 1579, there will be an additional specialized topic related to seaport group 4.

Mai Huyen