HCMC – Cat Lai Port in HCMC’s Thu Duc City may soon face an interruption in operations as the container backlogs at the port have reached 100% of its capacity and the number of employees at the port have been halved to 250.
According to a report on the operation of the Saigon Newport Corporation, which manages the Cat Lai Port, while HCMC has been practicing social distancing for nearly three weeks, the falling circulation of goods containers at the port has led to an accumulation of goods there, news site VnExpress reported.
The port might soon have to stop receiving vessels while containers are moved out of the port.
Therefore, the Saigon Newport Corporation proposed the General Department of Customs allow it to move imported goods and containers left at the port for more than 90 days to the Tan Cang-Hiep Phuoc Port in Nha Be District, the Tan Cang-Long Binh and Tan Cang-Nhon Trach inland container depots (ICD) in Dong Nai and the Tan Cang-Song Than ICD in Binh Duong. The corporation committed to maintaining the seals and quality of goods during the transportation and storage process.
In addition to the container backlogs, Cai Lai Port is encountering a severe shortage of laborers, while the stay-at-work mode at the port has also failed to bring about the expected results.
Saigon Newport Corporation suggested the HCMC government allow the employees of the Cat Lai Port whose residences have not been locked down to travel to the port for work. The corporation will coordinate with the healthcare agencies to conduct screening tests.
The firm also proposed the city issue passes for the laborers at the port to facilitate their travel, even after 6 p.m.
Those living in Nhon Trach District, Dong Nai Province, should be allowed to travel to the port through the Cat Lai ferry if they have such passes and negative Covid-19 test certificates.
