A ceremony to mark the unloading of the first cargo of 2018 took place at Da Nang’s Tien Sa Port on Monday morning.  

The city leaders at the welcoming ceremony for the first cargo of 2018 (Photo: Thanh Lan)

During the ceremony, a total of over 200 TEUs were unloaded from Liberia’s Lucky Merry ship which had docked at the port over the New Year period.

In attendance were Mr Ha Ban, the Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee (PCC) Organisation Commission, Da Nang Party Committee Deputy Secretary Vo Cong Tri, municipal People’s Council Vice Chairman Nguyen Nho Trung, municipal People’s Committee Vice Chairman Ho Ky Minh, and representatives from relevant local agencies.

The first cargo of 2018 being unloaded (Photo: Thanh Lan)

Last year, the total volume of cargo transported through the port hit a total of over 8 million tonnes, up 11% against 2016.  The figure included 350,000 TEUs, an increase of 9.7% against 2016.

Over last year, the Da Nang Port also welcomed 82 cruise ships, with a total of 148,000 passengers and crew members on board, up 17% and 8% in the number of cruise ship arrivals and passengers respectively against 2016.

The Da Nang Port is targeting to handle 8.5 million tons of cargo in total, including 380,000 TEUs, transported through the port, by the end of this year.

Every week, the port receives about 24 container ships, amongst of which are operated by the world’s leading container shipping companies, including Wanhai, Maersk Lines, Evergreen, MSC, SITC and Yangming.

Addressing the ceremony, Vice Chairman Minh hoped that, following its above-mentioned remarkable achievements, the port would continue to secure its position as the largest port in the central region, and one of the largest in Viet Nam.