UN/LOCODE: VNCLN📍 Viet Nam
Port of Cai Lan (UN/LOCODE VNCLN)
❖ Coordinates: 21.4200°N, 107.0500°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Saigon
❖ UN/LOCODE: VNCLN
## About the Port
Cai Lan (UN/LOCODE: **VNCLN**) is a deep‑water cargo terminal located on the eastern fringe of **Quảng Ninh Province**, Vietnam. Situated at **21.42° N, 107.05° E** and operating under the **Asia/Saigon** time zone (UTC + 7), the port serves as a strategic gateway to the mineral‑rich Hai Phong Bay and the world‑class Quảng Ninh coal basin. Its natural harbor, protected by the surrounding limestone karsts, offers year‑round navigability for vessels up to 210 m LOA (Length Overall), making Cai Lan one of the most accessible ports in the northern Gulf of Tonkin.
The port is administered by the **Vietnam Ministry of Transport** and is part of the broader **Quảng Ninh Economic Zone**, which integrates heavy industry, tourism, and logistics. Cai Lan’s geostrategic position—approximately 150 km east of the Chinese border and 250 km north of Ho Chi Minh City—places it within the main shipping lanes that connect Southeast Asian exporters to the Pacific Rim and the European market.
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## History
### Early Development (1970s‑1990s)
Construction of Cai Lan began in the late 1970s as part of Vietnam’s post‑war effort to develop a northern maritime infrastructure capable of supporting the emerging coal and steel sectors. Initial facilities consisted of a modest quay with a single berth and rudimentary cargo handling equipment, primarily serving domestic bulk carriers.
### Modernization Era (2000‑2012)
The turn of the millennium saw significant foreign investment, particularly from Japanese and South Korean firms, which financed a series of dredging projects that deepened the access channel to **12 m** at chart datum. In 2008, the port received its first container crane, signaling a diversification beyond bulk commodities.
### Current Phase (2013‑Present)
Since 2013, the Vietnamese government has prioritized the “**Quảng Ninh – Ha Long Integrated Port System**” to consolidate regional maritime assets. Cai Lan was upgraded to a **Class‑II** port under the **International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards**, with the addition of a 2‑berth container terminal, mechanized grain silos, and a dedicated liquid bulk terminal for petroleum products. The latest expansion, completed in 2022, introduced a **210‑meter quay** equipped with RTG (Rubber‑Tired Gantry) cranes, enabling the handling of **Panamax‑size** vessels.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Quays
- **General Cargo Berth:** 1 × 180 m, depth 12 m, equipped with a 30‑ton crane.
- **Container Terminal:** 2 × 210 m berths, depth 13 m, supported by 2 × RTG cranes (45 ton, 30 m outreach) and 1 × mobile gantry crane.
- **Bulk Coal & Mineral Berth:** 1 × 250 m, depth 14 m, featuring a 45‑ton shiploader and conveyor system linked to on‑shore stockpiles.
- **Liquid Bulk Terminal:** 1 × 180 m, depth 11 m, with dual‐pipeline loading capacity of 6 mt/h for diesel and gasoline.
### Storage & Handling
- **Warehouse Space:** 80,000 m² of covered storage, including temperature‑controlled chambers for perishables.
- **Open‑yard:** 150,000 m² of roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) lanes and container stacking yard with a 5,000‑TEU (Twenty‑foot Equivalent Unit) capacity.
- **Bulk Silos:** 4 silos totaling 120,000 t for grain, soybean, and other dry bulk commodities.
### Connectivity
- **Road Access:** Direct link to **National Highway 5** (Q1) and the **Quảng Ninh‑Hạ Long Expressway**, facilitating rapid inland distribution.
- **Rail Integration:** A 2‑km spur line connects the port to the **Vietnamese Railway Network (VN Rail)**, enabling 30 % of cargo to move via rail to industrial clusters in the Red River Delta.
- **Information Systems:** Port Community System (PCS) compliant with **ASEAN Port Management Standards**, allowing real‑time vessel traffic service (VTS) and electronic data interchange (EDI) with customs.
### Supporting Services
- **Pilotage & Towage:** 24‑hour pilotage by Vietnamese‑licensed pilots and a fleet of two oceangoing tugs (4,500 hp each).
- **Safety & Environmental Management:** ISO 14001 certified environmental management system, with on‑site oil spill response equipment and a dedicated wastewater treatment plant.
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## Economic Importance
Cai Lan is a linchpin of Vietnam’s northern export economy. In **2023**, the port handled **12.4 million tonnes** of cargo—a 7 % increase over the previous year—comprising:
- **Coal & Iron Ore:** 5.6 Mt (≈ 45 % of throughput), primarily destined for China’s coastal power plants and steel mills.
- **Containerized Goods:** 2.1 Mt (≈ 17 %), representing a growing segment of electronics, machinery, and consumer goods.
- **Agricultural Products:** 2.8 Mt (≈ 23 %), including rice, corn, and processed seafood exported to the EU and US markets.
The port’s efficiency has attracted **foreign direct investment (FDI)** exceeding **US$1.2 billion** since 2015, chiefly in logistics parks, cold‑chain facilities, and value‑added processing zones. Its proximity to the **Hai Phong coal mine**—the largest open‑pit coal mine in Vietnam—ensures a secure supply chain, reducing logistical costs for exporters by up to **15 %** compared with alternative northern ports.
Cai Lan also supports the **tourism corridor** linking Hạ Long Bay’s UNESCO World Heritage sites with cruise liners and yacht charters, contributing an estimated **US$85 million** annually to the regional economy.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Domestic & Regional Links
- **North‑South Corridor:** Regular feeder services connect Cai Lan with **Hai Phong**, **Da Nang**, and **Ho Chi Minh City**, enabling the redistribution of cargo along Vietnam’s coastal highway network.
- **ASEAN Integration:** The port participates in the **ASEAN Single Window** initiative, streamlining customs clearance for intra‑regional trade with Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
### International Shipping Lanes
- **East Asian Route:** Direct liner services to **Shanghai**, **Busan**, and **Yokohama** (average sailing time 5‑7 days) primarily transport coal and containerized manufactured goods.
- **South Asia & Middle East:** Monthly vessels to **Jebel Ali (UAE)** and **Khalifa Port (Qatar)** carry bulk agricultural commodities and niche industrial parts.
- **Europe:** Charter vessels via the **Suez Canal** serve Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg, handling grain, timber, and high‑value consumer electronics.
### Major Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Type | Volume (2023) | Primary Destinations | Handling Method |
|------------|---------------|----------------------|-----------------|
| Coal & Iron Ore | 5.6 Mt | China (Shandong, Liaoning), South Korea | Bulk shiploader → Open‑yard stockpiles |
| Containerized Goods | 2.1 Mt | EU (Rotterdam, Hamburg), US (Los Angeles) | RTG cranes → Automated yard stacking |
| Rice & Corn | 2.8 Mt | EU (Spain, Italy), Middle East (UAE) | Grain silos → Bulk discharge |
| Petroleum Products | 0.9 Mt | Domestic (Hanoi, Da Nang) | Pipeline loading → Jetty pumps |
| Frozen Seafood | 0.6 Mt | Japan, South Korea | Cold‑chain warehouses → Reefer containers |
The port’s **multimodal capabilities**—combined road, rail, and sea access—enable a cargo turnaround time of **≤ 48 hours** for container shipments, positioning Cai Lan as a competitive alternative to larger South‑Chinese ports for time‑sensitive goods.
**Further Reading:** For detailed UN/LOCODE data, see the official United Nations **UN/LOCODE database↗**. Additional statistics on Vietnamese port performance are available from the **Vietnam Ministry of Transport↗**.
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*This article provides a concise yet exhaustive overview of Cai Lan port (VNCLN), reflecting its role as a modern, multimodal hub in Vietnam’s maritime landscape.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
VNCLN
Country
Viet Nam
Province / Region
Quảng Ninh
Latitude
21.420000
Longitude
107.050000
Timezone
Asia/Saigon
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Cai Lan?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Cai Lan is VNCLN.
Where is Port of Cai Lan located?
The Port of Cai Lan is located in Viet Nam, Quảng Ninh. Its coordinates are 21.4200°N, 107.0500°E.
What time zone is Port of Cai Lan in?
Port of Cai Lan operates in the Asia/Saigon time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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