Green logistics connecting Nghi Son with Hai Phong seaport

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - At the end of July 2025, the coastal container shipping route Hai Phong - Nghi Son was officially put into operation, opening up great opportunities for the business community of Thanh Hoa and neighboring areas to connect directly with Hai Phong international transit port. Not only providing a form of low-cost, high-safety transportation, this route also helps significantly reduce CO2 emissions, in line with the trend of "greening" the global supply chain.

The Hai Phong - Nghi Son coastal container shipping route is currently operating with a frequency of 2 trips/week and will increase to 6 trips/week in the near future.

Reduce logistics costs, facilitate connection for import and export activities

Since the end of June 2025, MacStar Group Corporation has decided to test this route after a period of research. Mr. Tran Tien Dung, Chairman of the Board of Directors of MacStar Group, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Logistics Service Enterprise Association, shared: “With the foundation of a multi-industry logistics enterprise, we clearly identify the green direction, infrastructure modernization and emission reduction as inevitable requirements. The Hai Phong - Nghi Son route is a strategic step, demonstrating our commitment to accompany the local government and business community”.

After successfully operating the Hai Phong - Ninh Binh route, MacStar Group will continue to open the Hai Phong - Nghi Son route and is expected to connect to Quang Tri, Lao PDR via Lao Bao - Chalo, gradually forming an inter-regional logistics chain of North Central - Laos - Northeast Thailand. This will be a green, economical and effective maritime transport corridor, contributing to expanding the connection of goods from domestic to international.

According to Mr. Pham Hong Manh, representative of TS Lines in Hai Phong, the opening and operation of the Hai Phong - Nghi Son route is very important, meeting the essential needs of the market, especially for businesses in the Central region. This is a potential direction, contributing to reducing logistics costs, reducing emissions, and opening a more convenient connection channel for import and export activities. According to Mr. Manh, the lack of container shipping routes in Nghi Son previously caused many businesses to face difficulties in terms of time and transportation costs. The coastal container route will better utilize the advantages of Nghi Son Port, reduce pressure on the road system, and create more flexible options for customers.

“TS Lines fully supports and is ready to accompany in effectively exploiting this green transport route, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the logistics industry and national supply chain,” said Mr. Manh.

The benefits of green shipping routes are even more evident for businesses with large import-export activities. Mr. Le Van Hiep, General Director of Miza Nghi Son Company Limited, said that in the first 7 months of 2025, the company exported about 75,000 tons of products, an increase of 20% over the same period.

“The operation of the Hai Phong - Nghi Son coastal container shipping route will help increase shipping frequency, significantly reduce logistics costs, thereby improving production and business efficiency for enterprises. We will take full advantage of this shipping route to boost exports, expecting this to be an important driving force, facilitating sustainable business development and market expansion,” said Mr. Hiep.

According to calculations, compared to road transport, coastal container transport has many outstanding advantages: 10-15% lower cost, large carrying capacity, stable all year round, reducing traffic pressure and road accidents, especially reducing CO2 emissions by up to 70%. This is a key factor helping businesses meet international environmental standards, especially the EU's carbon tax (CBAM) regulations. With its geographical advantage, Nghi Son seaport infrastructure can receive ships from 70,000 - 100,000 DWT, which is a favorable condition to become an "extended arm" to bring Vietnamese goods to the world through international transit ports.

Create the most favorable conditions for shipping lines and businesses

Mr. Tran Chi Thanh, Deputy Head of the Management Board of Nghi Son Economic Zone and Industrial Zones, said: “Maintaining 2 trips/week in the initial phase and studying to increase the frequency is the basis for Nghi Son Port to attract more shipping lines. In 2026, when the specialized container port comes into operation, it will contribute to improving reception capacity, expanding connectivity and enhancing the competitiveness of the region.”

To maintain and effectively develop the transport route according to the province's policy, the Management Board of Nghi Son Economic Zone and Industrial Zones said that it will continue to coordinate with relevant units, creating the most favorable conditions for shipping lines and businesses, especially in customs and tax procedures. Along with that, it will organize conferences to propagate support policies, resolve difficulties, attract import and export goods by container through Nghi Son Port; work with shipping lines and businesses to increase the number of trips, diversify transport routes, reduce freight rates; call on businesses in the province to prioritize procedures at Nghi Son Port.

Regarding infrastructure, Thanh Hoa province prioritizes synchronous investment in port technical systems, connecting traffic, machinery, equipment, and waterways; urges the completion of specialized container ports on schedule, ensuring the best reception and service for incoming and outgoing ships and vehicles. In particular, the People's Council of Thanh Hoa province has issued Resolution 248/2022/NQ-HDND on policies to support international and domestic sea transport vehicles, supporting enterprises transporting containers through Nghi Son Port with many incentives such as: international shipping lines are supported with 500 million VND/trip, transit ships with 300 million VND/trip; import-export enterprises are supported from 700,000 - 3,000,000 VND/container. After the resolution was issued, there were 3 domestic and foreign shipping lines operating through Nghi Son Port.

With the support of the government, the response of businesses and the superiority of maritime transport, the Hai Phong - Nghi Son coastal container route promises to become an important driving force for the development of maritime logistics services in Thanh Hoa, contributing to reducing costs, reducing emissions, promoting exports and bringing Vietnamese goods to the international market.

Article and photos: Minh Hang

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/logistics-xanh-noi-nghi-son-voi-cang-bien-hai-phong-258119.htm