The event, co-hosted by the Da Nang Port, the Vietnam-EU Private Sector Support Programme and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), highlighted the port’s potential and indicated a number of shortcomings relating to import and export activities at the port that should be addressed.

Deputy Director of VCCI’s Da Nang branch Nguyen Dien said although the port has been chosen by a number of large shipping firms, such as K’Lines, Wanhai and Maersk Lines as a venue for sending container goods to the East Asian, Southeast Asian and US markets, the total volume of cargo being handled remained low, registering 2.7 million tonnes in 2007.

Mr Dien urged the port authorities, importers, exporters and forwarders to co-ordinate in seeking new opportunities for all parties to promote port activities.

Da Nang seaport is currently the main gateway to the East Sea and the East-West Economic Corridor that links Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. It is expected to handle 4 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2010.