Saigon Port is a network of ports in Ho Chi Minh City. It is a major main port for Vietnam (which has six main sea ports), and the only able to handle post-Panamax ships. The port name is derived from the former name of the city. In 2013, it became the 24th busiest container port in the world.[1]
History
Saigon Port played an important role in the foundation and development of the city of Saigon. During the era of French Indochina, the port played a significant role in the import and export of materials from the colony.
Today, this port network is the hub for the export and import of goods in south Vietnam – the economic hub of the nation, which accounts for more than two-thirds of Vietnam's economy, and the Mekong delta farming as one of the more productive in the world, and the main producer of cereals (rice) and shrimp in Vietnam.
Operations
In 2006, Saigon Port handled more than 35 metric tons of cargo and 1.5 million TEU of containers. By the end of 2012, Saigon Port now handled 3.5 million TEU of containers, an increase of 14% from 2011.[2]
From the Saigon port there is inland waterway navigation into Cambodia.
A map of ASEAN–China Free Trade Area including Vietnam, other free trade deals are with the European Union, Japan, Korea, the Eurasian Economic Union (Russia), India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, México, Peru and Chile.
Due to urban planning, the network of Saigon Port has been relocated from the city center to the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, specifically to the Hiep Phuoc New Urban and Port Area, Cat Lai New Port area and especially to Thi Vai Port and Cai Mep Port in Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu province, 60 km South-East of Ho Chi Minh City, 30 km northwest of Vũng Tàu. The Thi Vai Port with the capacity of handling ships up to 50,000 tons will be the leading deepwater port of this region.
