Over $534 mln needed for central Vietnam city’s seaport infrastructure

Hue city in central Vietnam needs about VND14.05 trillion ($534.24 million) in investment for its seaport system during the 2021-2030 span, with approximately VND12.79 trillion ($488.05 million) for wharves.

The Ministry of Construction has approved the detailed development plan for Hue’s seaport land and water areas for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.

Accordingly, Hue’s seaport system will comprise Chan May, Thuan An, and Phong Dien ports, along with anchorage areas, transshipment zones, and storm shelter berths.

By 2030, the ports are projected to handle between 13.6 million and 20.3 million tons of cargo and passengers, including 30,000 to 40,000 TEUs of container goods. Passenger traffic is expected to range from 276,100 to 285,000 arrivals.

The seaport system will consist of 10 wharves, featuring 19 to 25 quays with a total length ranging from 4,725 to 6,125 meters.

Of the 10 wharves, Chan May will account for seven, comprising 11 quays with a combined length of 3,320 meters. It is designed to handle between 8 million and 10.7 million tons of cargo, accommodate vessels of up to 70,000 DWT or container ships of up to 4,000 TEUs, and serve between 276,100 and 285,000 passengers.

According to the Ministry of Construction, of the projected VND14.05 trillion investment, VND1.26 trillion ($48.08 million) will be allocated for public maritime infrastructure and about VND12.79 trillion ($488.03 million) for wharf development.

Hue will focus on public maritime infrastructure, including the renovation and upgrade of the Chan May navigation channel to accommodate vessels of up to 70,000 DWT.

The city also plans to develop maritime safety infrastructure such as storm shelter and anchorage areas, as well as construct service berths and facilities to support specialized state management operations.

By 2050, its seaport system is expected to grow at an average annual cargo throughput rate of 3.6% to 4.5%, with a focus on enhancing capacity to receive and distribute large volumes of goods across the region.

Cargo volume through Hue’s seaports has been rising steadily, from 2.76 million tons in 2020 to 7.71 million tons in 2024. The average annual growth rate during the 2020-2024 period reached 29.3%.

Hue’s growing appeal in seaport infrastructure investment

Hue, adjacent to Da Nang city, is one of the few localities in Vietnam capable of developing a large-scale seaport industry.

It boasts the Chan May deep-water seaport, deemed the closest and most convenient gateway to the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) for the East-West economic corridor connecting central Vietnam with Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, other Asian countries, and the world.

Hoang Hai Minh, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, said that Chan May port, located in Phu Loc district, has exceeded its designed capacity of 4 million tons of cargo by 50%.

With an average annual growth rate of 25%, the port is forecast to need five to seven more wharves with a total length of 1,930 meters and a throughput capacity of 7.5 to 13.8 million tons of cargo by 2025.

In 2022, the local Management Board of Economic and Industrial Zones greenlit Vsico Maritime Joint Stock Company to build wharves 4 and 5, totaling VND1.68 trillion ($64.09 million) and covering 20.4 hectares, at Chan May port.

The two wharves have a total length of 540 meters, enabling them to accommodate 70,000-ton vessels and container ships of up to 4,000 TEUs.

In April 2024, the firm broke ground on the project which is expected to enhance the port’s capacity to accommodate large cargo ships, container vessels, and international cruise liners.

In addition to Chan May port, Phong Dien harbor, located in Phong Dien district, is catching the eyes of investors.

In 2023, local authorities gave in-principal approval to PTS Far East Investment JSC to study investment in wharves 2 and 3 at Phong Dien port. The project is expected to span 400 ha in Dien Loc and Dien Hoa communes.

According to the Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterways Administration, investment management at Hue’s seaports has generally complied with the approved planning regarding vessel capacity and wharf scale.

The existing port system has largely kept pace with rising cargo volumes, contributing to attracting cargo-handling activities to Hue and enhancing the ports’ ability to accommodate larger vessels.