According to the Management Board of the Southeastern Economic Zone, from 2021 to 2023, many container shipping lines operating regular routes through Cua Lo Port faced difficulties, with revenue failing to cover operating costs, raising the risk of route reductions or cancellations. However, since the issuance of Resolution No. 03/2023/NQ-HDND by the Provincial People's Council in July 2023, shipping lines have received partial cost support, enabling them to maintain stable operations during the 2024–2025 period.
This policy has also helped attract additional container shipping lines to operate at Cua Lo Port, especially those offering direct services to and from international ports. The establishment of direct routes has gradually reduced the need for transshipment through intermediary ports such as Hai Phong, Nghi Son, and Ho Chi Minh City, thereby saving time and reducing logistics costs.
In addition, transport cost support for businesses with import and export goods has encouraged a shift from road to sea freight. This approach reduces transport costs, enhances the competitiveness of products made in Nghe An, and opens up opportunities for more effective exploitation of the seaport system.
The Management Board of the Southeastern Economic Zone noted that Resolution No. 03/2023/NQ-HDND is a province-specific policy that, though only implemented for two years, has had a positive impact. To continue maximizing its effectiveness and ensure competitiveness with neighboring provinces like Ha Tinh and Thanh Hoa, the level of support needs to be increased while maintaining current incentives for businesses with goods transported through the port.
Under the new draft resolution, licensed domestic container shipping lines will receive VND 100 million per port call when performing loading, unloading, or both at Cua Lo Port (each activity counts as one port call).
Licensed international container shipping lines conducting similar operations at Cua Lo Port will receive VND 450 million per port call.
For businesses transporting import and export goods via container through Cua Lo Port, 20-foot containers will be supported at VND 1 million per container, and 40-foot containers at VND 1.5 million per container.
Compared to current levels under Resolution No. 03/2023/NQ-HDND, support for international container shipping lines increases from VND 300 million to VND 450 million per port call. Support for businesses using 20-foot containers rises from VND 600,000 to VND 1 million, while support for 40-foot containers increases from VND 1 million to VND 1.5 million.
Maintaining fixed container routes through Cua Lo Port not only helps retain current shipping lines and attract new ones, but also contributes to the formation of a stable maritime transport network for the North Central region. As container cargo volumes grow, Cua Lo Port is expected to become a strategic destination within the logistics chain, attracting goods from other provinces, including those far from the port.
The development of container shipping through the port will also drive growth in port-related logistics services such as warehousing, loading and unloading, freight forwarding, and cargo preservation, thereby boosting service revenue, creating jobs, and positively contributing to Nghe An’s socio-economic development.
Source: vneconomy.vn
