Seaport: Classification and fundamental functions according to Vietnam’s current regulations

1. Criteria for determination of a seaport

According to Article 74 of the Vietnam Maritime Code 2015, criteria for determination of a seaport includes:

- Have a water area thoroughly connecting to a sea.

- Have natural geographical conditions to meet requirements relating to construction of a wharf, port terminal, anchorage area, transhipment area and navigational channel for the ship to enter, leave and operate in a safe manner.

- Have advantages in marine transportation.

- Act as the center of the traffic network to facilitate inland freight transport, carriage and transhipment of exporting and importing goods by sea.

2. Classification of seaports and advertisement of the list of seaports

Seaports are classified into the followings:

- Special seaports mean large-scale seaports which are aimed at nationwide or inter-regional socio-economic development, and perform their functions as international transshipment or gateway ports;

- Grade-I seaports mean large-scale seaports which serve the purpose of nationwide or inter-regional socio-economic development;

- Grade-II seaports mean medium-scale seaports which serve the purpose of regional socio-economic development;

- Grade-III seaports mean small-scale seaports which serve the purpose of local socio-economic development.

This is the content of Article 75 of the Vietnam Maritime Code 2015.

3. Fundamental functions of a seaport

A seaport has the following fundamental functions:

- Provide vessel traffic services for ships which enter and leave a seaport.

- Provide transports, equipment and workforce necessary for ships to anchor, load or discharge goods and embark or disembark passengers.

- Provide freight transportation, loading, discharge, warehousing and storage services within the territory of a seaport.

- Play its role as the center to help different traffic networks outside of the seaport to get connected together.

- Be designed to provide shelter, repair and maintenance or other indispensable services for ships in case of emergencies.

- Provide other services for ships, humans and cargoes.

This is the content of Article 76 of the Vietnam Maritime Code 2015.

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