Cargo volume transported through seaports drops slightly

Goods loading at Cai Mep-Thi Vai port (Photo: VNA)

The total volume of cargo transported through seaports in the first five months of 2023 reached 296.1 million tonnes, a slight drop of 3% compared to the same period last year, reported the Vietnam Maritime Administration.

Of the total, the volume of exports was over 71.7 million tonnes, down 7% year on year, while that of imports neared 84.4 million tonnes, a decrease of 3%. Meanwhile, nearly 140 million tonnes were transported domestically, while the volume transited was 681,000 tonnes.

The administration said that the volume of container cargo transported through seaports in the period was 9.71 million TEUs, a fall of 8% year on year.

In May alone, domestic seaports handled over 63.3 million tonnes of goods, down 3% year on year, while the volume of container cargo was 2.07 million TEUs, down 7%.

A representative from the administration said that downturn was seen in the volume of cargo through the majority of regions having seaports, including Vung Tau (13%), Hai Phong (3%), and Ho Chi Minh City (3%). Particularly, sharp falls of 23-51% were seen in some areas such as Thai Binh, Quy Nhon and Quang Ngai.

Meanwhile, a number of bright spots with increase in the cargo volume were Nha Trang at 23%, Dong Nai 10%, Can Tho 14%, Binh Thuan 15%, Thanh Hoa 16%, and Thua Thien-Hue 18.7%.

Along with the downturn in the volume of cargo transported through the seaports, that of container cargo through major seaports also dropped.

The administration estimated that in the first six months of this year, the total volume of cargo handled through seaports will fall about 3% to about 359.46 million tonnes. Meanwhile, container cargo may reach 11,792 million TEUs, down 7% year on year./.