Renowned as the largest and most advanced international container port in Vietnam, Cat Lai Port, located in Thu DucCity, Ho Chi Minh City, ranks among the top 25 leading ports globally..
INTRODUCTION CAT LAI PORT
Cat Lai Port, also known as Tan Cang Port - Cat Lai (TCCL), stands as a cornerstone of the regional port system in Ho
Cat Lai Port, situated along the Dong Nai River in Chi Minh City, is strategically managed by the Saigon New Port Corporation under the Ministry of Defense This port boasts a prime location, just 43 miles from the Vung Tau pilot station, and features an entrance depth of 12.5 meters, making it a key asset for maritime activities in the region.
Cat Lai Port, situated in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, is recognized as Vietnam's largest and most advanced international container port It ranks among the top 25 ports worldwide, boasting an impressive market share of over 90% for import and export containers in the southern region and nearly 50% on a national scale.
Cat Lai Port was constructed in several phases between June 1996 and 2002, starting with an area of around 170,000 square meters The port includes two 150-meter piers designed to handle vessels exceeding 20,000 DWT During this time, collaboration with the city also facilitated the development of an inter-provincial route.
25 from the Hanoi highway to the Cat Lai ferry, facilitating accessibility and attracting clientele.
In March 1998, the arrival of the first ship, Nan Ping San from China, marked a significant milestone as it unloaded over 5,000 tons of rice This was followed by a pivotal transition to container operations in October 2002, highlighted by the arrival of a vessel from RCL Shipping Company.
The completion of the Thu Thiem Bridge in 2005 enabled the relocation of container ship operations from Tan Cang Port to Cat Lai Port, reinforcing Cat Lai's significance as a major port in southern Vietnam.
By 2005, Cat Lai Port processed 1 million TEUs, a number that skyrocketed to 5.2 million TEUs by 2019 Currently, it holds over 90% of Ho Chi Minh City's container import and export market share and nearly 50% on a national level, ranking it among the top 25 container ports globally.
Cat Lai Port features a specialized container wharf designed for vessels with a full load capacity of 30,000 DWT, supported by advanced loading and unloading equipment for efficient 24/7 operations With modern infrastructure that includes multiple cranes and expansive container yards covering 6.2 hectares, the port achieves an impressive average monthly throughput of 40,500 containers, effectively meeting the varied needs of its customers.
Cat Lai Port is crucial to Vietnam's logistics infrastructure, significantly impacting import-export tax revenue and the national budget It supports the livelihoods of thousands of officials, employees, and workers, while also creating job opportunities in surrounding areas As a vital gateway, Cat Lai Port connects Vietnam to the global economy through its essential role in import and export activities.
Cat Lai Port serves as a vital economic engine for Vietnam, generating billions in annual revenue and accounting for 37% of the total import-export tax revenue and 8% of the national budget revenue It provides stable employment for over 7,000 officials and workers while creating job opportunities for more than 10,000 individuals nationwide Additionally, Cat Lai Port significantly contributes to the country's GDP and is a crucial component of Vietnam's logistics infrastructure, facilitating import and export activities that connect the nation to the global economy.
Dockable vessel tonnage 45,000 DWT Berth length 2,040m (09 piers + 01 barge berth) Depth before the berth -12m
QUESTIONS
How long does it take Cat Lai to unload and load cargoes again on a ship when
The loading and unloading times at Cat Lai port can fluctuate due to factors like vessel size, cargo type and quantity, and overall operational efficiency On average, these processes take between 12 to 18 hours, indicating that Cat Lai port has an effective system to facilitate the timely receipt of goods.
- Cat Lai Port operates four devices at the wharf for the efficient loading and unloading of goods:
A gantry crane, prominently positioned on the dock, is essential for loading and unloading container cargo at specialized ports These cranes operate using a Lift-on/Lift-off (Lo/Lo) method, efficiently transferring containers onto and off ships by lifting them directly onto the ship's railing.
Technical specifications: 86m long × 25.2m wide × 47m high, weight 550 tons/gantry crane, construction productivity 40-45 containers/hour
Upon the ship's arrival, an automated cargo handling frame known as a "spreader" is used to mount the gantry crane This spreader moves vertically and secures itself to the container's four top corners using a mechanism referred to as a "twist lock."
The single-column crane, capable of a full 360-degree rotation, is an older model with a lower working capacity It is commonly utilized for lifting general cargo and containers as needed.
Currently, this equipment is limited to use in inland ports due to its low productivity While it functions similarly to a gantry crane, the absence of electronic scales complicates the securing of containers, increasing the risk of damage.
The RTG 6+1 gantry crane is a wheeled crane specifically designed for container ports, capable of handling containers across six wide rows plus one truck lane With a working height accommodating up to six overlapping containers, it can lift heavy loads of up to 65 tons under its shooting frame This crane offers an efficient solution for loading and unloading containers in space-constrained ports while meeting high-performance demands.
A spreader is an essential tool used for lifting cranes and containers, functioning effectively as a hook At Cat Lai Port, telescopic container spreaders are utilized, which can be adjusted in length to match the specific dimensions of the containers being handled, allowing for versatile and efficient operations.
Upon docking, the gantry crane accurately positions the spreader above the containers designated for unloading The spreader securely clamps onto the container through a mechanism that attaches to the four integrated holes After aligning with the container, the brackets retract to release it safely.
A container truck is designed to transport containers from the terminal to the Container Yard (CY) Unlike traditional trucks, these port-specific vehicles do not use clamps to secure the containers; instead, they utilize a raised trailer system to ensure the containers are securely held in place during transit.
The Reach Stacker, a specialized container forklift, is designed for efficiently lifting, moving, and unloading large containers at seaports and piers Known for its exceptional strength and rapid lifting speed, this powerful vehicle boasts a lifting capacity of up to 48 tons, making it an essential tool in container handling operations.
What types of ships does Cat Lai allow to dock? Why don't they let bigger ships
- What types of ships does Cat Lai allow to dock?
Cat Lai Port, the largest container port in Vietnam and one of the largest in Asia, hosts a diverse array of ships.
Container ships are the predominant vessels docked at Cat Lai port, specializing in the transportation of goods securely packed in containers.
Oil tankers: Oil tankers are used to transport crude oil and petroleum products.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers: LNG carriers are used to transport liquefied natural gas.
Barges: Barges are used to transport goods on rivers and canals.
Yachts: Yachts can also be moored at Cat Lai port, especially during the tourist season.
Cat Lai port accommodates a diverse range of vessels, including rescue ships, research ships, and military ships, in addition to the commonly recognized types of ships.
The type of ship moored at Cat Lai port depends on many factors, including the type of cargo being transported, the ship's destination and weather conditions.
- Why don’t they let bigger ships dock to carry more goods?
Cat Lai Port is strategically situated on the Dong Nai River, near the Saigon River, allowing it to accommodate feeder ships, particularly small and medium-sized vessels of approximately 3,000 TEU or less The port features a river depth of -8.6 meters in its central area and -12 meters at the harbor entrance, which restricts access to these smaller ships for docking and unloading operations.
Cat Lai port is unable to accommodate long shipments due to its limited capacity, primarily focusing on intra-Asia service trips Consequently, goods destined for longer voyages or European destinations often need to be transferred to deep-water ports, where larger vessels can be utilized for extended journeys.
Definition of lashing; Basic principles in the process of performing cargo
Lashing is essential for securing goods during long-distance transportation, utilizing load-bearing belts, ropes, or fibers This process ensures that items on ships, containers, or pallets remain stable and safe throughout their journey.
Ensure that goods are firmly fixed, limiting the situation of being moved and falling off the vehicle during transportation.
Avoid unwanted damage (breakage, denting of goods, )
Minimizing the risk of accidents during long-distance transportation
- Equipment and tools to support fastening and inserting goods
- Classification of pallets by material
PE wrap film Types of straps (fabric straps, composite straps, )
Iron beetle tightens the belt Belt tightener
- Classification of pallets by size (ISO standard)
- Basic principles in cargo Lashing
Need to check the condition of pallets, and tools before Lashing
Heavy goods must be loaded below, light goods above
Do not load goods spilled beyond the pallet section
Limits on cargo height when stowed on pallets
It is necessary to fasten, insert and line the packages fixed together into a block
Stickers on packages should be left outside when loading goods
List the basic parameters of containers & how to check container status
Container ID: Unique identifier for the container
Container number: A series of 11 characters, including letters and numbers This character string is used to uniquely identify the container.
Container status: Current status of the container.
Condition of the container: Physical condition of the container such as good, damaged, in need of repair, etc
Container size: Container size is determined by length, width and height Common container sizes include:
Dimensions: Length 6,058m, Width 2,438m, Height 2,591m Volume: 33.2m³
Dimensions: Length 12,192m, Width 2,438m, Height 2,591m Volume: 67.7m³
Dimensions: Length 13,716m, Width 2,500m, Height 2,896m Volume: 86.3m³
Since the 1950s, the logistics chain has evolved significantly, leading to the development of a diverse range of maritime and multimodal containers designed for optimal load handling The most common types of containers include standard, refrigerated, open-top, flat rack, and tank containers, each serving specific transportation needs.
- Dry van( dry container): used to transport dry goods, without temporary control.
- Refrigerated containers ( refrigerated containers): used to transport the goods that require temperature control such as food, fruit, and meat,…
- One-top container: used to transport oversized and overloaded goods.
- Flat rack container( flat floor container): used to transport heavy, bulky goods.
- Tank container: used to transport and protect the liquid inside.
- High containers: used to transport goods of large size and volume.
- Container weight: Includes tare weight (empty weight) and loading weight (cargo weight).
Container owner: The company or organization that owns the container.
Container operator: A company or organization responsible for operating and managing containers.
Container production date: Container production date.
Loading/unloading port: Port where goods are loaded/unloaded from containers.
Destination/Departure Point: This is the place where goods are shipped from/to.
Shipping Line: Container shipping line.
Bill of lading number: A document recording the contract for transporting goods by sea.
How to check the container:
Check the technical parameters of the Container
Check the condition outside the Container
Check the condition inside the Container
Check the Container door and the cleanliness of the Container.