HÀ NỘI — The price for container loading and unloading services from ships to port yard at Vietnamese seaports will be adjusted from January 1, 2019, according to new regulations of the Ministry of Transport.

According to Circular No. 54/2018/TT-BGTVT, the price for container loading and unloading services from ships (barges) to port yard and vice versa in Region I (in Hải Phòng City, except for Lạch Huyện port) will increase by 10 per cent against the current price of US$30 to $33 for a 20-foot container and $45 to $55 for a 40-foot container.

As for loading and unloading services from ship (barges) to barges, cars and wagons at the wharf, and vice versa, the prices will increase by 50 per cent, from $18 to $26 for a 20-foot container and $27 to $40 for a 40-foot container.

The prices of container loading and unloading services in Lạch Huyện Port, Hải Phòng City, is adjusted up 10 per cent in accordance with the roadmap until 2021 from $46 to $52 per 20-foot container and from $68 to $77 per 40-foot container.

As for Cái Mép - Thị Vải Port, the loading and unloading charge for import, export, and temporary import for re-export also increases by 10 per cent against the current level, from $46 to $52 per 20-foot container, and from $68 to $77 per 40-foot container. However, the container loading and unloading services for transshipment (from ships, barges to port yards and vice versa) drops by 10 per cent, from $34 to $31 for a 20-foot container and from $51 to $46 for a 40-foot container.

The price of container loading and unloading services in the Mekong Delta is reduced 50 per cent against the price in Region III, consisting of HCM City-based ports, while other contents remain unchanged.

The service charge for berths, wharves and anchorages for tourists will also increase from $0.99 - $1.1 per person per trip to $2.5 - $3.5 per person for one way.

Circular No. 54/2018/TT-BGTVT takes effect on January 1, 2019, repealing Decision No. 3863/QĐ-BGTVT and Decision No. 3946/QĐ-BGTVT of the Ministry of Transport.

According to Vietnam Maritime Administration, Việt Nam is home to 45 seaports with 263 wharves and 18 berths.

Among these seaports, with a combined designed capacity of 543.7 million tonnes each year, some major ports, such as Cái Mép - Thị Vải, Lạch Huyện and Cát Lái, were built with hefty investment capital and advanced equipment, while the remainder is small-and medium-scale seaports. — VNS