Cargo throughput via seaports sees modest growth
Cargo throughput across seaports nationwide hit 241 million tonnes in the first four months of 2022, rising 2% year-on-year, according to the Vietnam Maritime Administration.
The volume, excluding transited goods not unloaded at seaports, included 61.95 million tonnes of exports (up 2%), 67.49 million tonnes of imports (down 9%), and 110.99 million tonnes of domestic goods (up 10%).
Container throughput also increased 2% to over 8.3 million TEUs during the period.
The administration said 2% is the slowest growth in recent years though Vietnam has entered the post-pandemic new normal.
Seaports in many localities have recorded a sharp decline in volume, such as Binh Thuan down 28% from a year earlier, Can Tho 25%, and Kien Giang 12%.
Major ports also witnessed drops from 0.5 - 4%, including Hai Phong down 0.5%, Ho Chi Minh City 2.8%, and Vung Tau 4%.
The growth slowdown has been attributed to different factors, mainly that production, export and import activities by domestic enterprises have yet to fully recover.
Besides, China’s zero-COVID policy has also impacted firms doing business with Vietnam’s largest export and import market, according to the administration.