SP-PSA International Port (SP-PSA) set a new productivity record for Vietnamese container ports, beating the previous record also held by SP-PSA, when it handled APL's 62,693 dwt vessel "APL Iris" at an average rate of 106 containers per hour during its port stay at SP-PSA on Wednesday August 25th.

Under the master plan of Vietnam"s seaport system has been approved by the Prime Minister, in which the Ba Ria - Vung Tau port system of the SouthEast seaport group (group 5) with Sao Mai - Ben Dinh port, Cai Mep - Thi Vai port area is considered as international gateway of the country. With the international scale, this port system can receive container vessels from eight to ten thousand tons advantageously. In addition, Phu My - My Xuan deep-water port is used for general goods, 8DWT container vessels and other specialized ports. Furthermore, there is other international port, which has been planned for 10,000GRT vessel (GRT - is the unit used to calculate port charges, pilotage fees) at Sao Mai - Ben Dinh area.

The Long An International Port project is invested in by the Dong Tam Group and the Vina Capital Group. Total investment in the construction of infrastructure for this project is US$1 billion with 50 percent being Dong Tams capital and the other half Vina Capitals. Construction began on August 8, 2010. Vietnam Economic News Hoang An spoke with Vo Quoc Thang, the chairman of the Dong Tam Group, about this project.

Two ports that were built early this year in Ho Chi Minh City remain unused in the absence of connecting roads which seem likely to take a few more years to be built. The VND327 billion (US$17.2 million) Phu Huu Port in District 9 has yet to begin operations since it is now accessible only by a road passing through a residential area that trucks are banned from using. A 2.6km connecting road remains on paper. The VND2.7 trillion ($142.1 million) Saigon - Hiep Phuoc Port in Nha Be District requires a 1.5km link road to be built.

Binh Thuan Province will have a new deepwater port at Ke Ga Cape in Ham Thuan Nam District as the State-owned Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group or Vinacomin is working with a Spanish contractor to launch technical surveys for the port, said an official of Vinacomin.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has told HCM City authorities to complete its detailed master plan for the west bank of the Sai Gon River by the year-end so that the Ba Son Shipyard and seaports can be moved from downtown.

The Dong Tam Group and the VinaCapital Group co-sponsored a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the Long An complex in the Mekong Delta province of Long An on Aug. 8.

Vietnam's economy is recovering well from the slowdown last year. With this continued growth in trade, the ports and logistics industries are faced with new challenges, new competitors, and new business opportunities.

Maersk Line will raise rates on shipments from the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent to the West Coast of South America and Central America, effective Sept. 1.

The People's Committee of Binh Dinh Province has petitioned the Ministry of Transport to allow the Thi Nai seaport joint stock company to upgrade the Thi Nai wharf, aiming to receive ships of up to 10000 DWT.