On the morning of October 25, Saigon - Hiep Phuoc Port successfully received the Viking Orion cruise ship with a tonnage of 3,640DWT, length of 228.3m, width of 28.8m, and clearance of 44m. docked at CT02 pier. It is known that this is the largest passenger ship ever to dock at Saigon - Hiep Phuoc port, Viking Orion from Norway, carrying 883 passengers, mostly from the US, and 469 crew members.

Viking Orion ship prepares to dock at Saigon-Hiep Phuoc Port. Photo: Tran Minh Trung.

According to the Vietnam Maritime Administration, in the Master Plan for the development of Vietnam's seaport system for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050 approved and approved for adjustment by the Prime Minister; at Ho Chi Minh City seaport, wharves and ports with the function of receiving passenger ships are planned at the wharf area on the Saigon River, the wharf area on the Nha Be River and potential ports in Can Gio district.

International passenger ships arriving at Ho Chi Minh City seaports are mainly received at Nha Rong Khanh Hoi port area of Saigon port. However, passenger ships entering Nha Rong Khanh Hoi port area are limited due to the clearance of Phu My bridge (45m), while ports receiving passenger ships in other areas according to planning have not been invested in construction.

In order to remove difficulties and obstacles and meet practical needs, the Ministry of Transport has considered and allowed the reception of tourist passenger ships at Saigon Central Container Port, Tan Cang Hiep Phuoc Port and trial exploitation of passenger transport by sea on the Ho Chi Minh City - Con Dao route at Saigon - Hiep Phuoc Port.

Viking Orion arrives harbor Saigon-Hiep Phuoc. Photo: Pham Anh Tuan.

Saigon – Hiep Phuoc Port belongs to Saigon – Hiep Phuoc Port Joint Stock Company (on Soai Rap River) with a total length of 800m, including 3 wharves announced to open to receive and exploit general cargo and container ships with a capacity of up to 50,000 DWT.

After many meetings with relevant parties such as the Vietnam Maritime Administration and Ho Chi Minh City Port Authority, the leaders of Saigon - Hiep Phuoc Port prepared all necessary documents, procedures, developed an operation plan, and divided the traffic flow of passengers, ensuring that the exploitation of general cargo and container functions at Saigon - Hiep Phuoc Port did not cause any safety hazards during the reception of the international passenger ship Viking Orion; finally, the Ministry of Transport approved the reception of the ship.

The Board of Directors of Saigon-Hiep Phuoc Port took a souvenir photo with the Ship's Leader: Mr. Andre Poggemeier- General Manager (third, left cover), Mr Oleksandr Kruzhnov- Associate General Manager (second, right cover). Photo: Pham Anh Tuan.

This is a great effort and determination of the Board of Directors of Saigon - Hiep Phuoc Port Joint Stock Company in attracting ships to the port. With the scale of the port infrastructure, the water area in front of the port, the technical parameters of the shipping lane, the ship turning area ensuring sufficient conditions to receive international cargo and passenger ships entering and leaving the port; hopefully Saigon - Hiep Phuoc Port will be a new reliable address for customers near and far.

Le Vuong Doan Tu.