The Deputy Prime Minister requested the development of a strategy for establishing an international maritime center in Ho Chi Minh City.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung requested the Ministry of Construction to take the lead in developing a strategy for the development of an international maritime center in Ho Chi Minh City, and to submit a report in the next quarter. This request was made after the Private Economic Development Research Board (Board 4) submitted a report related to logistics and import-export activities.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung assigned the Ministry of Construction to take the lead, in coordination with the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and relevant business associations, in developing a strategy for the development of an international maritime center in the city. At the same time, relevant units are to research and develop a strategy for the development of inland waterway transport in Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong.

The Deputy Prime Minister encouraged all parties to proactively propose new approaches to coordinating the public and private sectors, and to report them to the competent authorities for consideration in the first quarter of next year.

According to feedback from the business community, Vietnam's logistics operations have not yet reached their full potential. Vietnam remains in a position of "logistics import surplus," with its port system primarily providing cargo handling services, equivalent to about 20% of the functions of an international maritime hub according to world standards.

Most value-added services such as shipbuilding, ship repair, finance, marine insurance, and related digital technology services are located outside the port area and depend on foreign businesses.

Meanwhile, Vietnam possesses numerous advantages, with its strategic geographical location on international shipping routes accounting for 65% of global trade, and ranking among the top 17 countries with the largest trade volume in the world. Furthermore, the Cai Mep - Thi Vai port complex is capable of accommodating the world's largest super-ships of 24,000-25,000 TEU.

At a private sector economic forum at the end of September, representatives of logistics businesses stated that Vietnam is losing approximately $1 billion annually due to its fragmented port system and low loading and unloading service prices.

According to calculations, if the maritime center is linked with a free trade zone (FTZ), a financial center, and an onshore service system, Ho Chi Minh City could become a crucial link in the global supply chain.

The international maritime center project is estimated to require approximately $10 billion over a 5-10 year period, implemented through a public-private partnership, focusing on investment in wharves, container yards, cold storage facilities, logistics and ship repair areas, and supporting services.

Source: https://vtv.vn/pho-thu-tuong-yeu-cau-xay-chien-luoc-phat-trien-trung-tam-hang-hai-quoc-te-tai-tp-ho-chi-minh-100251212161541315.htm