Seaport fees to help HCMC improve transport infrastructure

By Huu Cong December 9, 2020 | 01:00 am PT

Traffic congestion on Dong Van Cong Street around Cat Lai Port in HCMC's District 2, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.

HCMC will start collecting seaport fees from July 1, 2021 to source an expected VND3 trillion ($129.70 million) annually for infrastructure development.

The proposal by the city's Transport Department was passed Wednesday by HCMC People's Council, the city's legislature.

The lowest fee is VND15,000 ($0.65) per ton and the highest, VND4.4 million ($189.89) for a 40-foot container. Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration will oversee the fee collection, supported by the transport and customs departments.

Fee collectors will acquire 1.5 percent of the total sum, with the remainder to be invested in urban traffic infrastructure near ports.

All payments are to be made electronically.

Last year, the total output of goods through the city's seaports totaled 170 million tons, and is forecast to increase to nearly 237 million tons by 2030.

The large volume of goods transported through ports is putting huge pressure on existing transport infrastructure. Road networks surrounding seaports have not developed commensurately, resulting in heavy congestion, air pollution, and an increase in logistics costs.

The city’s port system plays a vital role in southeastern and Mekong Delta maritime transport. HCMC has four major ports - Cai Lai on Dong Nai River, Nha Be on the eponymous river, Hiep Phuoc on Soai Rap River and Sai Gon River port.