Long An international port to start handling containers in Q2

Vietnam’s Dong Tam Group expects Long An international port near Ho Chi Minh City to start container loading and unloading in the second quarter of this year, a move expected to ease container congestion in HCMC.

Dong Tam imported ship-to-shore crane systems made in Japan for the port late last year. In early 2023, it received rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes so that the port can offer the new service.

In the initial period, the port will operate two container terminals with six cranes and nine container yards, including a refrigerated container area. In total, the port will be able to handle more than 500,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalents) per year.

Christopher Ullett, who has more than 20 years of experience in port operations in Australia, China, Oman and Peru, has been appointed operations director for Long An Port.

CEO Peter Slootweg said they were working on procedures to expand to eight wharves, including one dedicated to liquid cargo. When completed, the port will have a total berth length of 2,368 meters and be able to receive ships of up to 100,000 deadweight tons. The port will be able to handle 80 million tons of cargo annually.

Container handling at Long An international port in Long An province will help enterprises in the Mekong Delta cut transportation costs and time because their containers will not have to be transported through HCMC.

The total investment for Long An port is more than VND10 trillion (o$426.44 million). Development has been divided into three phases, set for total completion by 2024.