The core connecting seaports and logistics in the Central region

Decision No. 140/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister approving the detailed planning of seaports, ports, wharves, floating terminals, water areas, and water regions for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, has re-planned the entire seaport system of the country, in line with the transformation of the country in the new era, making Vietnam truly a maritime nation, strong from the sea. According to the national development orientation, the seaport and logistics cluster in the Da Nang - Quang Nam region will, together with the seaport and logistics clusters at both ends of the country, reshape the global supply chain in Southeast Asia in the near future.

Amidst the flow of international integration and the strong shift in the global supply chain, the seaport and logistics system in Da Nang and Quang Nam are increasingly asserting their important role, becoming a strategic connection axis and economic development driving force for the Central region.

Strategic location for connecting axis

Located in the middle of the country, facing the vast East Sea, Da Nang and Quang Nam are considered the "logistics fulcrum" of the Central region. With their central geographical location and increasingly synchronized transport infrastructure, these two localities are becoming multimodal logistics hubs, perfectly connecting road, rail, sea and air transport.

With a deep-water seaport system such as Lien Chieu, Tien Sa, Ky Ha, Chu Lai... with deep and wide water surface, very large seaport connection surface area and solid foundation structure, Da Nang and Quang Nam are capable of meeting most of the development forces of seaports, logistics and heavy industry.

As one of the three largest seaports in the Central region, Tien Sa port plays an extremely important role in the region's import and export activities, with cargo throughput reaching over 15 million tons per year. This is also one of the ports that welcomes international cruise ships, with more than 40 ships calling at the port last year.

Illustration photo. (Source: Internet)

In addition, Da Nang currently owns three large logistics centers: Hoa Cam ICD serving goods for industrial parks in the West; the logistics center at Da Nang International Airport and the Hoa Khanh logistics cluster, linked to the high-tech park. These infrastructures not only serve domestic needs but also strongly connect with the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC), opening a gateway to the sea for neighboring countries such as Laos, Northeast Thailand and Myanmar.

In Quang Nam, the volume of goods passing through Ky Ha port has exceeded 2.1 million tons/year, with the main source of goods coming from Chu Lai - THACO industrial clusters. A highlight in Quang Nam's logistics development strategy is the Chu Lai Logistics Center - a modern complex of 350 hectares, with a total investment of more than VND 5,000 billion, directly connected to Chu Lai airport and seaport. This model promises to create a "3 in 1" logistics ecosystem, strongly promoting the development of the region.

But the current reality is that Tien Sa port is overloaded, along with the lack of differentiation between cargo and passenger ports, leading to many problems, slowing down the development of the locality. Seaports in Quang Nam have not been invested in and have not been exploited as much as expected.

According to the Department of Industry and Trade of Da Nang City, the logistics industry contributes about 5.8% of the city's GRDP, with a growth rate of 9% per year. For Quang Nam, the logistics industry contributes about 4% of GRDP and is prioritized for development in the period 2025-2030. Quang Nam's advantage is the strong connection between logistics and high value-added industrial production.

Although each locality now has a fairly clear foundation for logistics development, the current reality still shows a lack of connection between ports, logistics centers and supply chains in the region. Experts say that if the logistics system is not linked into a synchronous inter-regional chain, Da Nang and Quang Nam will find it difficult to connect synchronously or keep up with major logistics centers at the two ends of the country.

Head of the Vietnam Logistics Association representative office in Da Nang, Duong Tien Lam, commented: “In the field of logistics, Da Nang has a key advantage as the center of the Central region. The current time is a great opportunity for the Da Nang logistics industry to develop. Da Nang needs to pay attention and take action to promote the formation of large logistics centers.”

Central port and logistics center

Da Nang aims to become a regional and international logistics center by 2030. The city will develop five logistics centers in Hoa Nhon, Hoa Cam, Hoa Khanh, the High-Tech Park, and the seaport - airport area; of which, the Hoa Nhon logistics area of ​​over 60 hectares is positioned as the largest logistics complex in the Central region, integrating warehouse services, dry ports, express delivery, and smart digital technology.

In addition, Tien Sa port, which is currently overloaded, will be upgraded to a specialized container port and connected to Lien Chieu port, a deep-water port that is being invested in phase 1 with a total capital of more than VND 3,400 billion, expected to be completed in 2026. When completed, Lien Chieu port can accommodate 100,000 DWT ships, becoming a large-scale international transit port.

With the goal of becoming an important trading hub and logistics center of the Central Highlands region, Quang Nam has approved the investment policy for the project to expand and upgrade Chu Lai port, with a total investment capital of up to 1,590 billion VND.

Earlier this year, Chu Lai Port inaugurated wharf No. 2, extending an additional 365m downstream, increasing the total length of the wharf to 836m, with a depth of minus 11.6m before the wharf. Steel pipe sheet pile technology was applied for the first time in Vietnam for the structure of the wharf, allowing the reception of general cargo ships and container ships with a capacity of up to 50,000 tons. A modern specialized crane system for loading and unloading containers and specialized vehicles for internal transportation of the port have also been heavily invested.

The inauguration of the 50,000-ton wharf at Chu Lai port marks an important development step of Truong Hai International Freight Forwarding Company (THILOGI), marking a strong transformation not only of Truong Hai Group Joint Stock Company, but also of the Chu Lai seaport and logistics area. Chu Lai port is well connected to the main routes in the region and is also an important gateway connecting the Central region with the East-West economic corridors, and countries in the region such as Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar.

THILOGI not only implements the supply chain for THACO Chu Lai Industrial Park, but is also determined to become a leading transportation unit, participating in the global supply chain. This is also a favorable condition to attract other investors to turn Chu Lai into a major logistics center of the country.

At a recent meeting with businesses in the fields of manufacturing, export and logistics, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Nang City Tran Chi Cuong said: "Da Nang is extremely favorable to form a second "East-West economic corridor", not only connecting seaports and logistics centers here to the two ends of the country, to other localities in the Central region, but also reaching out to the potential untapped Western regions, connecting goods sources to Da Nang".

“Da Nang is the core of the Central region in many fields; including seaports and logistics. Enterprises must join hands to support Da Nang in developing logistics, and need to pay special attention to a skilled and highly qualified workforce to be able to enter the markets of Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar,” said Mr. Tran Chi Cuong.

According to Tin Tuc Newspaper
https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/hat-nhan-ket-noi-cang-bien-va-logistics-mien-trung-bai-1-dong-luc-phat-trien-kinh-te-20250430224228326.htm

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/hat-nhan-ket-noi-cang-bien-va-logistics-mien-trung-213140.html