Perfecting the logistics ecosystem for Cai Mep - Thi Vai

Difficult to attract goods

Ms. Pham Thi Bao Hanh, Deputy General Director of Vina Logistics-VNL Joint Stock Company (the unit directly operating Hung Thai General Services Port) said that Cai Mep-Thi Vai (CM-TV) is lacking in areas. post-port logistics and supporting service ecosystem. Most of the exported goods still carry out the exploitation stages (container packing, inspection, customs clearance…) at ICD in other provinces, then transported by barge to be loaded onto the mother ship in the CM- area. TELEVISION.

“Moreover, although CM-TV has 25 train routes to the US and Europe, there are less than 10 intra-Asia routes, while there are many export goods in Asia. This leads to many businesses within CM-TV's legs that have import and export needs in this route and have to transport goods to Cat Lai port (Ho Chi Minh City) for export," added Ms. Hanh.

Another difficulty is that although the ports in CM-TV are invested in modern port infrastructure, meeting international standards, they have not met the connection needs of businesses, and lack a system of container depots. empty, general container warehouse (CFS), inland port (ICD)... On the other hand, logistics costs account for 21% of the value of goods, so reducing this cost is the key to creating competitive efficiency. painting.

According to Mr. Pham Quang Huy, senior specialist of Gemadept Group, CM-TV's current source of goods mainly comes from neighboring provinces such as Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, and the Mekong Delta. (accounting for 81%). On-site goods in the province are very low, only 10% and 90% of goods are moved from CM-TV by barge to carry out procedures elsewhere. The logistics service system and seaport support services that have not kept up with the development speed are the reasons why the CM-TV port cluster is still difficult to attract goods.

At the seminar, businesses, shippers, and port consultants mentioned a number of realities and difficulties that prevented the area from developing to its full potential, such as The volume of goods could not be concentrated as expected, infrastructure is not commensurate with the potential and advantages of the region; failed to attract transit goods.

Remove bottlenecks

Faced with the above difficulties, in order to promote the flow of goods through the CM-TV area, many opinions suggest that the province needs to accelerate inter-regional transport, taking advantage of the air connection method between the region. CM-TV with Long Thanh international airport, invested in Bien Hoa-Vung Tau railway project and opened an empty depot in CM-TV area. Speeding up the project of building a centralized specialized inspection center, and creating favorable mechanisms and procedures for transshipped goods, is also proposed by seaport enterprises to the province.

“The province needs to soon plan a clean land fund to create space to form a logistics ecosystem, speed up the progress of inter-regional transport works, soon deploy Cai Mep Ha logistics center, and attract investment in local businesses. container goods industry, open policy, breakthrough to attract investment; preferential policies for shipping lines; develop high-quality human resources for logistics and large production; accompany to remove difficulties and support enterprises", suggested Mr. Pham Quang Huy, senior specialist of Gemadept Group.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Ho Thi Thanh Hoa, Director of the Vietnam Logistics Research and Development Institute, CM-TV needs to learn solutions from ports around the world. That is to strengthen maritime connectivity by proactively approaching ports and shipping lines around the world to find connecting goods sources, creating demand for cargo transshipment links. In addition, strengthening digital transformation, logistics services, and green port development... are also supported by Associate Professor Dr. Ho Thi Thanh Hoa noted.

Affirming that the province is concentrating resources to do traffic connection works, logistics ecosystems, and inland ports, Mr. Nguyen Van Tho, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized promoting the flow of goods through the CM-TV area. special attention of the province. Accordingly, in the second quarter of 2023, the province will start construction of Bien Hoa-Vung Tau highway, Phuoc An bridge, and road 991B connecting to Ring Road 4 to pass through 5 provinces in the Southeast region.

At the same time, the province also focuses on developing a logistics center to serve the transshipment of goods between Ba Ria-Vung Tau and the southern provinces and cities, as transshipment of import and export goods through seaports.