Prospects and challenges for seaport logistics industry

In the first half of 2025, Vietnam’s import–export activities posted robust growth. Over the past seven months, the country recorded an import-export value of more than US$ 514.7 billion, up 16.3% year-on-year, creating favorable conditions for enterprises in the seaport transport sector to expand.

Against the backdrop of global trade facing numerous challenges, particularly unilateral tariff barriers, the business results of the seaport sector have shown clear divergence. To sustain growth, companies in the sector are closely tracking market developments, accelerating technology adoption, strengthening partnerships, and making full use of their potential and competitive advantages.

Dong Nai logistics transport firms handle cargo at Cat Lai Port.

Business performances show signs of divergence

For seaport service operators, business performances varied in the first half of 2025, with some achieving strong revenue while others fell short of targets.

At Dong Nai Port Joint-Stock Company in Long Hung Ward, its revenue reached VND 746 billion in the first half of this year, with net profit of nearly VND 225 billion, up 17% and 32%, respectively, completing 53% of the annual revenue target and 62% of the profit target. This marked the fifth consecutive year of its revenue growth from port stevedoring and cargo transport, buoyed by increased shipments of steel coils, steel billets, and other metal products. Cargo volumes of alumin and goods from companies leasing yards at Go Dau Port remained relatively stable.

According to Nguyen Ngoc Tuan - General Director of Dong Nai Port Joint-Stock Company, the company is focusing on investing in infrastructure, yards, and specialized container handling equipment to ensure timely operations and ease congestion at the port.

Similarly, Tan Cang Long Binh Joint-Stock Company (Long Binh Ward) posted revenue of VND 248.5 billion in the first half of 2025, up 6.18% year-on-year. The company announced that on August 29 it will finalize the list of shareholders eligible for the 2024 dividend payout. With nearly 38.2 million shares in circulation, it is expected to pay around VND 56 billion in dividends. In 2025, the company targets at VND 549 billion in revenue and VND 110 billion in post-tax profit, representing growth of 12% in revenue and 6% in profit over 2024.

As for Tan Cang–Cai Mep International Terminal Co., Ltd., business results in Jan-June period recorded positive signals, with throughput exceeding 1 million TEUs, up 16.2% from the same period last year. In March 2025, the port reached the milestone of 20 million TEUs in cumulative throughput since operations began.

In contrast, Phuoc An Port Investment and Exploitation Joint Stock Company earned revenue of nearly VND 29 billion in the first half of the year, but incurred a loss of VND 248 billion. Cumulative losses by the end of June were estimated at nearly VND 279 billion. As the largest port in Dong Nai but newly operational, the company had anticipated the losses, projecting a post-tax loss of nearly VND 450 billion for 2025.

It expects to attract more shipping lines in the near future and is currently investing over VND 1.5 trillion in construction and around VND 579 billion in equipment purchases.

Prospects and challenges for the second half of 2025

Assessing the macro picture for the seaport sector in 2025, Dong Nai Port’s leadership believes that despite global economic and political uncertainties, the industry stands to benefit from supply chain shifts. However, enterprises cannot afford complacency given ongoing volatility and unpredictable developments. The company is accelerating construction of the B6 berth and a fuel depot to serve Long Thanh Airport, while also negotiating with clients in fuel, gas, and chemicals to lease yard space to lease yards for tank installations, helping ease pressure on revenue and cargo volume for the general cargo segment at Go Dau area.

Meanwhile, Dinh Xuan Khanh, Director of the Logistics Center at Saigon Newport Corporation, expressed concern that Vietnam’s logistics costs remain high. According to him, container handling charges at Vietnamese ports are about 40% higher than the global average, with fees for a 40-foot container reaching VND 1.4–1.5 million. Reliance on international carriers drives freight costs higher when cargo demand rises, squeezing import-export enterprises’ profits and making Vietnam less competitive compared to countries with more efficient logistics systems, such as Singapore or Malaysia.

Nevertheless, with Vietnam’s import-export performances continuing to post solid growth in the first half of 2025, the Government pushing hard to achieve full-year GDP growth above 8%, and major economies showing signs of recovery, the outlook for logistics industry in general and seaport services in particular is highly positive. This will, however, require the seaport sector to adapt quickly. Neighboring seaport service operators could proactively collaborate, share resources and customers, while the State steps up investment in infrastructure and transport connectivity, creating an integrated ecosystem and seamless supply chain to enable enterprises to fully tap into their potential.

By Van Gia

Translated by Minh Nguyet-Thu Ha