Cat Lai Port allows move shipments to other ports

Cat Lai Port is overloaded due to the backlog of containers. Photo: Le Toan

According to Saigon Newport Corporation, currently, the number of imported containers waiting at Cat Lai Port has increased rapidly because many factories and enterprises have reduced production or stopped working due to pandemic prevention requirements and are unable to receive or release shipments.

Therefore, Cat Lai Port will temporarily stop receiving imported goods from businesses which are stopping production. It will only receive ships to take on export goods; and temporarily suspend receiving cold goods transshipped to containers until the end of August 16.

At the same time, Cat Lai Port also temporarily suspended receiving goods that occupy large yards, such as super-long, super-heavy cargo, project cargo, or oversized, overloaded cargo from August 5.

Shipping lines and shipping agents need to actively persuade customers to adjust destination ports and the place of receiving goods to Tan Cang-Cai Mep International Port, Tan Cang-Cai Mep Thi Vai Port, or Tan Cang Hiep Phuoc Port.

In addition, shipping lines and shipping agents need to submit estimates of imported containers and empty containers on their ships docking in the system of Saigon Newport in the next two weeks so that they can actively arrange the yard.

Depending on the inventory and the situation, Cat Lai Port can adjust the volume of imported goods unloaded to the yard. In case the port reaches its maximum exploitation capacity, it will have to stop receiving ships.

On the other hand, the General Department of Customs has allowed the moving of goods stored at Cat Lai Port to other seaports in Ho Chi Minh City and inland container depots (ICD).

According to the rules of the department, only goods that are not subject to customs procedures at the border gate (as prescribed in Decision No.23/2019/QD-TTg) and those that have not submitted an import declaration can be moved to different ports.

Moreover, the goods must not show signs of violation during inspection by the competent authorities and the entire shipment must belong to a single bill of lading, with the same owner and place of storage.

Regarding the destination, the goods have to be transported to seaports in provinces where the enterprises are located.

Specifically, goods imported by Dong Nai enterprises will be transferred to Tan Cang Long Binh ICD or Tan Cang Nhon Trach ICD. Those for enterprises in Binh Phuoc will be transported to Tan Cang Song Than IDC. Meanwhile, goods belonging to enterprises in the western provinces will be transported to Tan Cang Hiep Phuoc Port.

Shipments will be managed and closely monitored while transported from Cat Lai Port until the importers complete customs procedures to remove the goods.

These measures are effective for 15 days from the date the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has announced suspending the implementation of Directive 16.