The Ministry of Construction has issued a Decision amending and supplementing Article 7 of Decision No. 810/QD-BGTVT, dated July 1, 2024, by the Minister of Transport, which established the price framework for container handling services at Vietnamese seaports. The new regulations will take effect on February 1, 2026.
Under the new decision, the price framework for handling imported, exported, temporarily admitted, re-exported, transit, and transshipment containers at Lach Huyen port and the Cai Mep – Thi Vai area will be adjusted upward by approximately 10% compared to current regulations.
Specifically, the price framework for handling loaded containers for import, export, and temporary admission/re-export is set at $63–$73 per 20-foot container, $94–$107 per 40-foot container, and $103–$119 for containers exceeding 40 feet.
For transit and transshipment of loaded containers, the service fee range is $37–$44 per 20-foot container, $56–$64 per 40-foot container, and $62–$72 for containers over 40 feet.
The Ministry of Construction has also adjusted the price framework for container handling between vessels (or barges) and container yards. This applies to containers being moved between ports for export or for transport to a final port of destination. Under these regulations, the minimum handling fee for a 20-foot container is $9 with a maximum of $17, while the price range for a loaded 40-foot container is $14–$25.
According to the Vietnam Maritime and Inland Waterways Administration, Vietnam’s current Terminal Handling Change (THC) remain low compared to other countries in the region. This current pricing is considered a competitive advantage for Vietnam’s seaport system, helping to attract high-tonnage vessels to the deep-sea port areas of Cai Mep – Thi Vai and Lach Huyen.
According to experts, raising deep – sea port handling fees helps bridge the gap between Vietnam’s service rates and the regional average. This increase enables ports to reinvest in equipment, upgrade infrastructure, and improve operational efficiency. Furthermore, it supports ports in meeting new service quality standards within the context of digitalization and green development.
Currently, handling fees at major transshipment hubs in Southeast Asia remain nearly double those in Vietnam, even as the Vietnamese government and port operators increasingly prioritize large-scale, modern infrastructure investment. Specifically, in 2024, the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence released the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) for 405 global container ports. In this ranking, the Cai Mep Port Cluster was honored to be among the top 7 most efficient container ports in the world.
This adjustment applies exclusively to deep – sea ports and will not impact Vietnamese importers or exporters, as handling charges are already incorporated into the THC levied by foreign shipping lines.
Gemalink Deep – sea Port in the Cai Mep – Thi Vai Port Cluster: A Strategic Gateway Connecting International Trade
Honored as one of top 19 seaports worldwide capable of receiving mother vessels with deadweight tonnage up to 250,000 DWT, Gemalink Deep – sea Port serves as a strategic trade gateway, directly connecting Vietnamese cargo to European, American, African, and Intra-Asian markets.
Stepping into 2026, an era of national resurgence fueled by the Government’s commitment to economic growth, Gemadept is urgently preparing to break ground on Gemalink Phase 2 for early operation. Upon the completion of all three phases, Gemalink’s total capacity will exceed 3 million TEUs per year, featuring a total berth length of over 1.5 kilometers. Once finished, the port will be capable of simultaneously accommodating 3 to 4 mother vessels and 5 feeder ships, meeting the growing demands of the world’s leading shipping alliances that trust Gemalink as a vital hub in their transcontinental maritime routes.
In the future, Gemadept and Gemalink Port will continue to partner with the nation and industry peers to build a modern, green, and sustainable port and logistics ecosystem.
* Reference: https://baoxaydung.vn/tang-gia-dich-vu-boc-do-container-tai-cang-nuoc-sau-tu-1-2-192260106143234674.htm
