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In 2016, there were 1,431 large ships entering and leaving the port, and by 2022, this number had risen to 1,639 ships. On average, about 4.5 large ships enter and leave the port each day. Notably, in 2023, the number of large ships entering and leaving the port area reached 2,178, an increase of 32.8% compared to 2022. Over the past 10 years, the number of large ships entering and leaving Vung Tau Port has increased sixfold, from 318 in 2013 to 2,178 in 2023.

Currently, the Ba Ria – Vung Tau port area is primarily receiving large tonnage ships, mainly container ships with tonnages ranging from over 80,000 DWT to 232,495 DWT, entering and leaving the Cai Mep – Thi Vai area ports. Shipowners have established 42 container ship routes to the Ba Ria – Vung Tau port. Specifically, there are 33 international routes (including 9 intra-Asia routes, 3 European routes, 10 East American routes, 9 West American routes, and 2 USA-Canada routes) and 9 domestic routes. Additionally, the size of container ships arriving at the port is gradually increasing (in terms of ship size and tonnage).

At the Ba Ria – Vung Tau port, there are currently 12 ports approved by the Ministry of Transport to receive ships with a total tonnage greater than the design tonnage of the port. Among them, the Cai Mep Gemadept – Terminal Link port has been permitted by the Ministry of Transport to experiment with receiving super container ships carrying 24,188 TEU (reduced load).

According to Vung Tau Maritime Administration, as of May 2024, the administration has coordinated with relevant units to successfully receive 25 super-large ships safely. Notable ships include OOCL Spain, OOCL Piraeus, OOCL Turkiye, OOCL Felixstowe, OOCL Zeebrugge, ONE Integrity, HMM Le Havre, and Hanoi Express (with a maximum length of 399.99 m and a width of 61.3 m – the latest generation of container ships capable of carrying up to 24,188 TEU).

2. Maritime Safety Measures for Large Tonnage Ships

In the context of the increasing number of large tonnage ships entering and leaving the area, 18 maritime safety measures for large tonnage ships entering and leaving the ports in the area have been approved by the Vietnam Maritime Administration to ensure safety. Among these, 9 measures are applied to container ships, 5 to bulk and general cargo ships, 2 to oversized and overweight cargo ships, and 2 to liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.

Before considering bringing a ship to the port, the port enterprise and shipowner must evaluate maritime safety conditions according to the approved plan, regional meteorology and hydrology, and other related requirements. They must report to the port authority for consideration and plan the ship’s arrival.

“Based on the approved maritime safety measures, the port authority will coordinate with specialized management agencies at the port, shipowners, port enterprises, and maritime pilot organizations to ensure the safe entry and departure of large tonnage ships at the relevant ports,” said a representative from Vung Tau Maritime Administration.