In 2013, the total volume of cargo transported through Da Nang Port reached 5 million tonnes, which is the highest total ever recorded in the city.  In the 1^st quarter of this year, the port handled about 1.3 million tonnes of cargo, including 47,000 TEUs on container ships, which is a 37.6% rise compared with the same period last year.

In an effort to encourage local shipping companies and businesses to shift freight transport from road to sea, the Tien Sa Port has opened 4 domestic sea transportation routes between Da Nang, Sai Gon and Hai Phong ports.  This has helped to facilitate enterprises in Da Nang, as well as in the central region and highlands, to access low-cost freight transport services. 

The unloading of cargo at the Tien Sa Port

According to calculations made by local businesses, the cost of transporting goods by sea will be less than 30% that of road.  As a result, 90% of big businesses in the city and the central region and highlands have so far transported their cargo by sea instead of by road.

The Da Nang Port is targeting to handle 5.5 million tonnes of cargo by the end of the year, and the target is within the reach of the port.  However, the General Director of the port, Mr Nguyen Thu, says that the port is facing an overload of container ships, with the port’s container unloading wharves kept very busy.  In addition, an area of the port is designated for receiving cruise ships, which causes an increase in the overload.  Therefore, the Da Nang Port is now in need of expansion and more wharves.  It is hoped that the implementation of the Tien Sa Port expansion project over the 2011 - 2017 period will be completed on schedule in order to meet the increasing demands of customers.