With the advantage of the sea surrounding it, along with many deep, sheltered waters, Da Nang boasts much potential for marine economic development. Therefore, the city has been focusing on investing in building seaport infrastructure, gradually turning the existing Tien Sa Port into a major seaport in Central Viet Nam, and the whole country.

The wharves No. 4 and 5 of Da Nang Port have just been put into use. Photo: THANH LAN

According to the master plan for developing Viet Nam's seaport system in the period 2021-2030, with a vision towards 2050 approved by the Prime Minister, the Da Nang seaport will be the largest of its kind in the central region and one of the three largest in Viet Nam.

In an attempt to achieve this ambitious goal, the Da Nang Port company has recently focused on completing the construction of a synchronous and modern infrastructure system on par with the region, putting into operation many important projects, and at the same time increasing the length of the current wharf be able to receive general cargo ships up to 70,000 DWT, container ships up to 4,000 TEUs and passenger ships up to 150,000 GRT, along with modern loading and unloading and warehousing equipment. 

Along with that, the Da Nang Port has put into use the ePort electronic port software for CFS (Container Freight Station), providing online services to customers and completely converting port services from direct to online, helping customers save costs; helpings enhance inheritance and data synchronization between departments.

Recently, the project to build a yard area behind wharves No. 4 and 5 at the Tien Sa Port has been completed combined with the existing warehouse system at the Tien Sa Port Enterprise and its member companies, increasing the total port area to nearly 30 hectares.

The project also includes equipping 4 ERTG cranes and accompanying technical infrastructure, hereby meeting the needs of serving container ships up to 50,000 DWT and general cargo ships up to 70,000 DWT, passenger ships with a tonnage of 168,000 GT.

Especially, the enterprise has put into use the camera + identification system, fiber optic cable, checking point control software at TS4, contributing to increasing ship operating productivity, as well as monitoring security and safety in ship operations.

On the other hand, the Da Nang Port’ administration has recognised that the application of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), IoT, and big data can optimize the process of ship operation and freight forwarding, minimizing waiting time and improve the ability to track and manage goods.

It is known that in the 2015 - 2023 period, the output of goods through the port increased by an average of 12%/year, of which container goods grew by an average of 15%/year. In a similar positive vein, the revenue climbed by an average of 12%; pre-tax profit jumped by 11%/year. In 2023 alone, output through the port reached 12.20 million tonnes, an increase of 190.58% from 2015, of which container output always accounted for more than 60% of the structure of the proportion of output through the port, year on year.

2023 also witnessed an increase of 254.75% as compared to 2015. According to Chairman of the Da Nang Road Freight Transport Association To Van Hiep, with potential, advantages, and available infrastructure, after construction, the yard area behind the wharves No. 4 and 5 at the Tien Sa Port with a capacity of approximately 110,000 TEUs and then ensure conditions to simultaneously receive all types of cargo ships, container ships, large and modern passenger ships in the world, increasing ship operating time during the year, creating new motivation and momentum for the Tien Sa Port.

Loading and unloading goods at wharves No. 4 and 5. Photo: THANH LAN

Mr. Tran Le Tuan, the General Director of Da Nang Port, said that, early realising the trend of seaport containerization, the company’s leaders have quickly focused on developing strategies to modernise seaport infrastructure and considering container goods as the main commodity, gradually building the Da Nang Port into the largest and most modern container port in the central region.

In recent years, the Da Nang Port has continuously invested in machinery and developed human resources to meet the increasing needs of customers.

The investment in construction of the yard project behind wharves No. 4 and 5 ta the Tien Sa Port also demonstrates the commitment of the Da Nang Port company in orienting port development towards container ship services, cruise ships and large tonnage ships. The project has received great support and consensus from Viet Nam Maritime Corporation, the Da Nang People's Committee, national and local functional units.

The completed project contributes significantly to the synchronous development of the logistics system serving the seaport, creating a foundation for the Tien Sa Port to become a modern container port in the region.

The Da Nang Port determines to continue to focus on core activities which are investing in upgrading Tien Sa Port infrastructure, implementing the construction of a 20ha depot area in Hoa Vang District into a logistics centre of the Central Viet Nam and Central Highlands regions.

In the long-term strategy of building and developing main ports along with logistics centres, the Da Nang Port company strives to be the service and logistics coordination centre of the central region and of the East - West Economic Corridor.

Reporting by THANH LAN - Translating by A.THU, T.TUNG