Dong Nai Port: Determined to carry out sea port services in fast, safe, economical and professional manner

(Vietnam Logistics Review)There have been 330 berth nationwide with the total length of 39,951m and 160 ports. On general note, although they are many in number and located from North to South, the ports has low efficiency and exploitation. However, there are a few port still having good efficient operation. Dong Nai J.S Co., (Dong Nai Port) is one- a bright spot- that always complete its annual assigned targets. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tuan- General Dirctor of Dong Nai Port- has had a discussion with Vietnam Logistics Review (VLR).

Mr Nguyễn Ngọc Tuấn General Dirctor of Dong Nai J.S Co.,

VLR: So far, Dong Nai port has had 27 years in operation. What is the major activity of the port?

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tuan: Dong Nai has had a long progress of integration and industrial development of the Southeastern. The establishment and development of Dong Nai Port has played an important role in assisting transshipments of cargo to factories in various industrial parks in the provincial area.

At first, Dong Nai specialized in handling bulk cargo and warehouse leasing to meet the needs from industrial parks and other surrounding provinces. Since the end of 2011, with the start of container handling activities and logistics service chain, it has had considerable investments and become a long arm of the Southern sea port group of HCMC area, Dong Nai, Ba Ria- Vung Tau. To take up opportunities and to improve competition abilities, in 2017 the port will focus on infrastructure investments of Go Dau, creating sources of income for expanding the infrastructure of the warehouse service chains at Long Binh Tan as the preparation for the increase of cargo for years to come.

VLR:Can you talk about the size, general structure of the port system and the ability of the port in receiving large vessel?

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tuan: Dong Nai Port System has two major branches on the area of 727,000m2 located on Long Binh Tan Ward, Bien Hoa City. It is convenient for cargo transshipment to industrial parks as Bien Hoa 1, Bien Hoa 2, Loteco, Amata, Ho Nai, Song May, Nhon Trach, HCMC and other nearby industrial parks.

Long Binh Tan Port has the area of 178,000m2 with 3 berths with total length of 244m and is capable to receive vessels of 5,000DWT; it is mostly used for handling container cargo, bulk cargo, and warehouse services. It has an area of 112,00m2 for storing empty containers and the area of 23,000m2 for warehouse system.

Go Dau Port has the area of 549,000m2 including 06 berths with total length of 782m and is capable to receive vessels of up to 30,000DWT. It major activities are bulk cargo stevedoring and warehouse system. The area of 8,000m2 for warehouse is being expanded and improved. It is expected to put into operation in 2017 to meet the increasing needs for cargo through the port.

VLR:According to experts, logistics activities in Dong Nai province have not being well developed, not being adequate to its potentials and advantages. What are the reasons?

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tuan: Dong Nai has geographical advantages: having systems of roads and waterways- rather convenient for port exploitation sector and logistics sector. However, so far Dong Nai has had 60 enterprises operating in the logistics sector, mostly operating as customs brokerage, local transport. They have not yet developed international agency system. And there has been no strategy for a synchronous logistics service system, no connection among medium and small-sized company, no logistics association for sharing information about provincial logistics services. Provincial enterprises mostly outsource for large foreign companies. There are tacit competitions among logistics enterprises.

VLR:In the situation, what has the port done to offer convenience to customers?

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tuan: Dong Nai port has carried out strategies of price support, procedure support and service chains. Allocating income resources among ports, logistics enterprises, deep-water ports and customs to make a whole-package service chain and improving competition abilities to implement commitments on fast, safety, professional services with customers and partners in the future.

VLR:Besides rather stable services above, are there any plans of development in 2017?

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tuan: In 2017, Dong Nai Port will ask for permission to expand 50ha at Go Dau area for handling specialized coal with the ability of receiving vessels from 30,000-40,000 tons, diversify logistics service chains for cost and time reduction and for offering more conveniences to customers using services in the port.

VLR: Thank you and wish Dong Nai Port good developments in the future.