OPENING THE WAY FOR LARGE VESSELS AT CÁI MÉP PORT
After the Cái Mép – Thị Vải maritime channel was upgraded, the region’s cargo throughput gradually increased. However, challenges have also grown as large vessels frequently navigate the ports.
Upgrading the maritime channel infrastructure has enabled Cái Mép Port to accommodate more large vessels, significantly boosting cargo throughput. Photo: SSIT.
Saving Time and Costs
At the end of September, the Saigon – SSA International Container Terminal (SSIT) in Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu successfully welcomed the MSC Rifaya vessel, part of the Swan Sentosa service connecting Vietnam directly to the U.S. West Coast by MSC shipping line. The vessel, with a capacity exceeding 200,000 DWT, is the largest ship ever to dock at SSIT.
According to Mr. Phan Hoàng Vũ, Deputy General Director of SSIT Joint Venture Co., Ltd., since the Cái Mép channel was dredged to a depth of -15.5m (from buoy 0 to Gò Gia junction), accommodating large vessels has become significantly easier.
“The Cái Mép area operates on a semi-diurnal tidal system. Previously, ships had to wait until morning to load and unload cargo. Many ships, even after completing their cargo operations, could not depart due to tidal delays, with an average wait time of 7–10 hours.
With the new capacity to handle large vessels designed for reduced load, tidal waiting times have shortened, allowing ships to leave immediately after operations,” said Mr. Vũ. This has improved berth utilization rates for enterprises, reducing per-container costs. In the first eight months of the year, SSIT’s cargo throughput increased by 20% compared to the same period last year.
Experts estimate that by saving 7–10 hours, shipping lines can cut significant costs across their journeys, especially with daily charter rates around $10,000.
Adequate Capacity but Still Requires Upgrades
According to the Vũng Tàu Maritime Administration, the number of vessels over 80,000 DWT navigating ports in the area has steadily increased, with 1,661 calls in the first nine months (averaging over six calls per day). Notably, “mega-container ships” of up to 232,000 DWT have started frequenting the Cái Mép port cluster.
The increasing size and capacity of vessels present challenges for Cái Mép and Vietnam’s maritime sector. To meet these demands, enhancing the capacity to accommodate large vessels has become essential.
SSIT port management emphasized that shipping partners are increasingly demanding mechanisms and streamlined procedures to facilitate large vessel operations.
Mr. Phạm Quốc Long, Vice President of the Vietnam Shipowners’ Association, suggested that upgrading Vietnam’s maritime port master plan, including Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu’s channel, is vital for improving the ability to handle large vessels.
He noted that the 2021–2030 Vietnamese seaport development plan, with a vision to 2050, allows the Cái Mép cluster to handle container ships of 160,000 DWT and 24,000 TEU or more by 2030. However, since March 2023, the cluster has already welcomed mega-mother ships like the OOCL SPAIN, the world’s largest container ship, with a capacity of over 24,188 TEU.
Mr. Long pointed out that drafting plans based on lower vessel capacities creates inefficiencies. Terminal operators must build and invest according to the initial plan but still need approvals for upgrades to handle larger vessels, despite being fully capable. This hampers long-term business strategies.
He recommended revising detailed port group plans to allow larger vessels, aligning with global trends in ship size growth.
Enhancing Capacity for Large Vessels
The Vietnam Maritime Administration has proposed a study to improve public and existing maritime infrastructure capacity, submitted to the Ministry of Transport. The plan includes solutions to enhance the ability of seaports across the country, particularly in the Cái Mép – Thị Vải region.
The study identified several challenges in handling large ships at the Vũng Tàu port area, such as tight curvature in certain channel sections. Large ships must reduce speed to navigate, complicating operations.
Additionally, some riverfront berths extend far from the shore, with water limits close to the channel protection corridor. The high daily traffic of around 110 vessels on the Cái Mép – Thị Vải River increases maritime accident risks.
The Maritime Administration has proposed upgrading key maritime channels, including the Vũng Tàu – Thị Vải channel from buoy “0” to the Cái Mép International Terminal (CMIT). These upgrades aim to accommodate vessels up to 200,000 DWT/18,000 TEU and larger. Other proposals include expanding the channel into a two-lane waterway to handle vessels up to 250,000 DWT/24,000 TEU, supporting the downstream terminals’ development trajectory.
Ref: baogiaothong.vn
