Da Nang has hosted the annual meeting of 59 of Viet Nam’s sea and river ports.

The Viet Nam Seaports Association (VPA) reported that the throughput of cargo at all ports was 159 million tons in 2011, despite the global economic difficulties. The southern ports accounted for over 66%, the northern ports for 30 %, and the central ports nearly 4%. There was a 13% decrease in imports and the trade surplus was one million tons. The transport of domestic goods by sea rose 2% compared with 2010, accounting for 26 % of internal freight movements.
It was suggested that the central government develop port infrastructures to make coastal freight services a spearhead for domestic marine economic development. Special attention should be paid to upgrading the roads to Tien Sa port in Da Nang, Dinh Vu port in Hai Phong and the new Ben Nghe and Cat Lai ports in Ho Chi Minh City along with dredging the channels at Can Tho port and Cua Lo port in Nghe An Province.
Da Nang People’s Committee Vice-chairman Van Huu Chien promised that the city will continue developing its transport infrastructure to ensure smooth container handling. He said he would like the VPA to support the port of Da Nang by helping the city to promote its role as the East-West Economics Corridor Pacific gateway.

Source: Da Nang