Shaping a waterway into a key shipping channel: Viconship gets dredging nod

A major dredging project will allow safer ship navigation and increased cargo transportation capacity on the Hai Phong shipping channel, thereby enhancing competitiveness of Vinconship’s port system, says the company.

It said in a new release that the Vietnam Maritime Administration has agreed on the location and technical specifications of the Hai Phong shipping channel from the upper sections of Nam Dinh Vu Port to the Nam Hai Dinh Vu port area.

The approval, issued as Document No. 5100/CHHVN-KHĐT on November 4, will allow the dredging of a 3.7 km channel section - from Km31+200 to Km34+900 – to a depth of -8.5 meters. The document is based on Document No. 10731/BGTVT-KHĐT issued by the Ministry of Transport.

The document allows Vietnam Container Corporation (Viconship) to dredge and upgrade the Hai Phong shipping channel from the upper reaches of Nam Dinh Vu Port to the Nam Hai Dinh Vu Port - Vip Greenport area. These two ports are managed by Vinconship.

The 3.7 km long channel section will have widths of 80 to 120 meters from Km31+200 to Km32+200 (length of 1,000 meters); 80 meters from Km32+200 to Km33+770 (length of 1,570 meters); and 80 to 110 meters from Km33+770 to Km34+900 (length of 1,130 meters).

With an estimated dredging volume of about 350,000 cubic meters, the channel will be maintained and dredged to specified design standards.

Vinconship said the project would result in easier and safer ship navigation, as also an increase in cargo shipment.

It said it would comply with the Vietnam Maritime Code and related decrees on dredging in sea and inland waterways. Detailed plans for the dredging work that ensures compliance with environmental, construction and other relevant regulations will be submitted to the Vietnam Maritime Administration and Hai Phong Maritime Port Authority.

Upon completion of the dredging, Viconship will hand over the channel section to the Vietnam Maritime Administration for public shipping channel management and maintenance.

The 3.7 km long, 8.5 meter deep upgraded Hai Phong shipping channel will become a key waterway in the region, attracting new business from major shipping lines. This will not only help reduce transportation costs but also enhance the competitiveness of Viconship's port system on the global trade map, the company said.

Viconship is currently the largest port enterprise in the Hai Phong port cluster, with a total handling capacity of 2.6 million TEUs. It has 30% of the region’s market share.

As part of its corporate restructuring, since June 2024, Viconship has divested from non-core sectors to concentrate on its main business areas.

It has completely divested from the Hyatt Place hotel project in central Hai Phong as well as T.S Container Lines Hanoi Co., Ltd.

Most recently, the company completed the transfer of over 22.05% equity in Dinh Vu Petroleum Services Port JSC.

Viconship has recently intensified its M&A activities, demonstrating significant ambition for the northern transport and port market. In October 2024, the company became the second-largest shareholder in Vinaship with a 40.01% stake.

In Q2/2024, Viconship successfully acquired 100% of Nam Hai Dinh Vu Port, making it the largest port enterprise in the Hai Phong port cluster.

It now owns a series of ports in the Hai Phong cluster, including three major ones: Green Port (100% ownership, 300,000 TEUs), VIP Green Port (74% ownership, 800,000 TEUs), and Nam Hai Dinh Vu Port (100% ownership, 550,000 TEUs).

Notably, the Nam Hai Dinh Vu Port is strategically located between VIMC Dinh Vu and VIP Green Ports. This acquisition allows the company to consolidate and create a seamless quay system extending up to 1,500 meters, significantly reducing operational costs and providing greater flexibility in vessel reception.