(VOVWORLD) -With advantages in port infrastructure, Vietnam is investing in and developing a sustainable, green port system. This will connect the country with regional and global networks while increasing the competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises.
 Vietnam’s ports are finding ways to greenify for the development of the maritime economy. |
The International Maritime Organization has targeted net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Vietnam has set the same target, so conversion to a green port model is a prerequisite for the Vietnamese maritime sector to compete with and integrate into the global market.
Promulgated in 2020, Vietnam's green port development plan is divided into several phases, with the most critical period being from 2023 to this year to amend the regulations in port management, investment, and construction to align with green port criteria. To be considered green, a port must meet criteria in the use of renewable energy, clean fuel, online payments, electronic documents, and modern transport management software.
Pham Hoai Chung, Chairman of the Board at the Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, said Vietnam's green, clean, and sustainable development direction is in line with the global trend and drives growth for maritime enterprises.
“The Prime Minister has introduced policies for green port development. This will attract investment in a modern, sustainable port system. Once Vietnam establishes a well-developed port network and reduces logistics costs, the competitiveness of domestic enterprises in the global market will increase,” said Chung.
Vietnam is also promoting digital transformation and applying advanced technologies to enhance transportation connectivity, a crucial factor in Vietnam’s maritime economy. Nguyen Canh Tinh, Director General of the Vietnam Maritime Corporation, said that the Corporation continues to focus on deep-water port projects as infrastructure breakthroughs.
“The largest investment will be in developing the Can Gio International Transshipment Port. Implementing such projects early will increase Vietnam’s maritime competitiveness regionally and globally. We also plan to complete terminals 3 and 4 at Lach Huyen Port and deep-water ports like Lien Chieu port in Da Nang,” said Tinh.
According to Dr. Hoang Hiep, Deputy General Director of the Portcoast Consultant Corporation, digital transformation plays a key role in the development of green ports. To sharpen competitiveness, collaboration among port enterprises, including Portcoast, must be furthered through the comprehensive adoption of digital applications, said Hiep.
 A green port model is a prerequisite for the Vietnamese maritime sector to compete with and integrate into the global market. |
Experts and industry leaders agree that investing in green port infrastructure will unlock a wealth of opportunities for collaboration and allow Vietnamese ports to accommodate megacontainer ships. In Ba Ria-Vung Tau, for example, opening a connecting gate between Tan Cang-Cai Mep Thi Vai Terminal (TCTT) and Cai Mep International Terminal (CMIT) has optimized port operations. The joint venture in shared berth utilization between these two ports is seen as a pioneering initiative to maximize Vietnam’s port infrastructure efficiency.
Nguyen Xuan Ky, CMIT’s Director General, said, “Cai Mep-Thi Vai is a deep-water port cluster and a key gateway for the southern key economic zone. Its rapid growth has been remarkable.” “Without additional investments in new berths, achieving an extra 400,000 TEU per year is a breakthrough and a success for the port sector,” Ky added.
About 70% of new cargo ships worldwide use green fuels, necessitating the rapid adoption of sustainable solutions at Vietnamese ports. Da Nang Port, for example, has set a 2025 target to expand and solidify its port system by integrating technology, fostering innovation, and upgrading infrastructure to improve port operations and logistics services.
According to Tran Le Tuan, Director General of Da Nang Port, Da Nang Port pledges to further digitalization to increase capacity, cut costs, and optimize customer services. “We have already implemented a semi-automated process that allows customers to complete procedures remotely and makes operations more efficient,” said Tuan.
Developing sustainable green ports will significantly increase revenues and profits for port operators, solidify Vietnam’s position in the regional port sector, and improve the competitiveness of domestic enterprises in the global logistics service chain.