Within two days, 21st and 22nd August, the delegation of Saigon Newport Corporation (SNP) led by Mr. Nguyen Dang Nghiem – General Director of SNP; Vice Chairman of Vietnam Seaport Association (VPA) attended the VPA annual meeting 2012 in Da Nang City. There were nearly 400 participants at the conference who are the leaders of 59 port members, Vietnam Maritime Administration, Da Nang City, and the Provincial Departments.
Mr. Nguyen Dang Nghiem – General Director of SNP; Vice Chairman of VPA made speech at the Meeting
According to VPA’ report presented at the conference, in the year 2011, the total throughput of 59 ports of VPA reached was more than 159 million tons, a slight year on year increase of 4; container volume increased 8% to nearly 7.2 million TEU. Ho Chi Minh City ports accounted for over 66% container throughput of the country, Northern accounted for 30%, Central of Vietnam was only 3%. The Northern ports got the growth of 13% in 2011; especially Doan Xa port achieved extremely growth up to 250%. The growth rate was generally slower than those of the previous years. Besides the impact of the economic crisis, the VPA’ report also stated number of the negative factors affecting the growth of cargoes through seaports such as: poor transportation infrastructure, lack of the synchronizing between the new terminal projects and the road connection and utility services, the mechanisms for the seaport infrastructure management and development and maritime channel under the the monitoring of port authorities has not been finalized.
The report about VPA operation in recent years, the direction in the coming years was presented at the conference by the VPA Executive Committee. The other ports also gave suggestions and presentation. Mr Tran Khanh Hoang, Deputy General Director of SNP deliveried a report at the conference namely “Seaport Security – a Prerequisite to ensure the effectiveness of seaport operation”. The report showed SNP’ experiences in the implementation of the contents of seaport security plan for all the ares; in the enhancement of the security for Tan Cang – Cat Lai Terminal. The report also emphasized that SNP has enforced and strictly implemented the security control processes, the control of facilities, inspection of people and goods getting in/out and monitoring of the restricted areas…especially, the report strongly focussed that one of the most valuable for SNP in ensuring the port security is to closely coordinate with the local police & authorities, the fire prevention force in term of making & implementing the plan to maintain order and security; flood prevention; salvage; the prevention of the fire; anti – terrorism and anti – oil spilling activities. SNP is always ready in the preparatory work such as the arrangement of the security force, facilities, and equipment so that SNP can control security most effectively.
Mr. Tran Khanh Hoang Deputy General Director of SNP deliered a report at the conference
At the conference, Mr. Martinus Pailus Hendricks – Training Director of Tan Cang – STC Human Resources Development LLC, which is a subsidiary of Saigon Newport Corporation also had the presentation about training programs such as seaport operation, freight forwarding, logistics, shipping line operation, shipping brokerage, customs procedure and clearances;operators of the equipments … which drew the attention of port leaders.
At the conference, all VPA’s member raised a number of suggestions to the governmental authorities so as to create the favorable condition for the port operation and development such as sooner completing of the management mechanism of seaport infrastructure for each region, clear mechanism stipulated for the port fees; sooner issuance of the logistics development plan, competitive multi – modal transportation; synchronization of the seaport development plan with road transportation planning…Moreover, the direction of the coordination among port members to solve the common problems, successfully implement the Association’s tasks aiming at making the ports become the key point of the Vietnam’s marine economy.
On this occasion, Vietnam Seaport Association launched emulation program namely “Whole country toward Spratly Islands” that contributed to the protection of national sovereignty over the sea and islands. The conference also agreed to admission of three new members into VPA which are PSTC Dinh Vu Port, BVC – MS Port, and Petec – Caimep Petrolium Port.
