Unlocking the Flow of Trade Through the Cai Mep – Thi Vai Port Cluster: A Strategic Blueprint

National Interests Take Precedence

According to Mr. Nguyen Hong Phuc, Director of Tan Cang – Cai Mep JSC, since its inauguration in 2009, Cai Mep – Thi Vai has played a crucial role in facilitating Vietnam’s import and export activities with the world. Despite efforts from inter-agency collaborations to streamline administrative procedures and facilitate on-site customs clearance at the port, Mr. Phuc anticipates an increase in cargo volume and emphasizes the need for additional human resources to prevent potential bottlenecks in the future.

“As the volume of cargo and customer demand in the Cai Mep area increases, we earnestly request that relevant authorities invest in fixed X-ray scanning equipment at the ports and establish supportive mechanisms for cargo scanning. Most importantly, we need to augment our workforce. If we fail to address this issue, it will undoubtedly create another bottleneck,” Mr. Phuc stated.

Mr. Do Thien Anh Tuan, Dean of the Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management and Head of the Consulting Team for the Proposal to “Develop Ba Ria-Vung Tau into a National Maritime Economic Center,” emphasized the necessity of constructing and perfecting a focused and breakthrough maritime economic cluster ecosystem, leveraging existing advantages and addressing emerging development needs, to facilitate the flow of exports through Cai Mep – Thi Vai.

Mr. Tuan also highlighted the importance of developing a logistics system in tandem with a maritime economy by deeply integrating port, maritime transport, and cargo services; investing in port infrastructure and transportation networks to and from the ports; promoting technology adoption in port operations; increasing cargo volume transported through the port to economic centers in the region and worldwide; reducing logistics costs; and enhancing the competitiveness of locally produced goods.

Mr. Do Thien Anh Tuan asserted that Cai Mep – Thi Vai should be regarded as a national maritime economic center, not just one belonging to Ba Ria – Vung Tau or the region. “In line with Resolution 24 of the Politburo and Resolution 154 of the Government, we must continue to develop Cai Mep – Thi Vai into an international transshipment port, not only for Ba Ria – Vung Tau but also as a strategic port for the Southeast region, the South, and the entire nation. Only by adopting this perspective can we mobilize the active participation of central ministries, sectors, and local authorities in the region,” he added.

Aspiring to Be a Gateway Port

In alignment with the Government’s Resolution 154/NQ-CP, Ba Ria – Vung Tau province is currently formulating a proposal to “Develop Ba Ria – Vung Tau into a National Maritime Economic Center” and to “Continue the Development and Modernization of the Cai Mep – Thi Vai International Gateway Port into the Country’s Largest Transshipment Hub with Regional and Global Significance.”

Mr. Pham Anh Tuan, CEO of Portcoast JSC, shared insights into the proposal’s goals: “By 2030, we aim to attract 10% of international transshipment container volume (over 350,000 TEU, 4-5%), and from 2030 to 2050, we target 20-25%, eventually reaching 50% of international transshipment containers through Cai Mep – Thi Vai.”

Mr. Tuan outlined several strategies to achieve these goals, including encouraging cargo routing (from Binh Dinh and further south) for long-haul sea transportation, reducing maritime fees, and implementing mechanisms to incentivize domestic maritime transport companies to consolidate cargo instead of solely providing services.

“The Government and the Ministry of Transport must directly coordinate the flow of import and export goods through the Cai Mep – Thi Vai area. They should also adopt a flexible framework for container handling fees in different regions to foster fair competition. In terms of infrastructure, we eagerly anticipate the operation of the inter-port transportation route connecting to Phuoc An Bridge in Dong Nai province. This will enable cargo from the Mekong Delta region to reach this area directly via the Ben Luc – Long Thanh Expressway,” Mr. Tuan remarked.

From its initial planning to the present, the Ba Ria – Vung Tau port and the Cai Mep – Thi Vai port cluster have consistently been envisioned by the Central Government as a gateway for international trade and integration, not only for Vietnam but also for the Southeast Asian region. Given their significance, the Government and relevant ministries and sectors will continue to implement positive solutions to attract more businesses to use the Cai Mep – Thi Vai port cluster for customs clearance and import-export activities.