UN/LOCODE: VNDAD📍 Viet Nam
Port of Da Nang (UN/LOCODE VNDAD)
❖ Coordinates: 16.0544°N, 108.2022°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Saigon
❖ UN/LOCODE: VNDAD
## About the Port
Da Nang Port (UN/LOCODE: VNDAD) is the third‑largest seaport in Vietnam, situated on the central coast of the country in Da Nang city, facing the South China Sea. Its strategic location at latitude 16.0544° N, longitude 108.2022° E places it roughly halfway between the major northern hub of Hai Phong and the southern gateway of Ho Chi Minh City, making it a natural trans‑shipment point for cargo moving along the Vietnam coastline and for vessels traversing the East Asian maritime corridor. The port operates under the Da Nang Port Authority, a subsidiary of the Vietnam Maritime Administration, and handles a diversified mix of containerized, bulk, liquid, and general cargo. With a growing reputation for efficient customs clearance and modern handling equipment, Da Nang is increasingly cited in regional logistics studies as a “gateway to the Central Vietnam economic corridor” and a key node in the Belt‑and‑Road Initiative’s maritime silk road.
## History
### Early Beginnings
The origins of Da Nang’s maritime activity trace back to the 19th century when the French colonial administration developed the city as a trading post for rice, timber, and marine products. Early wharves were modest wooden structures along the Han River estuary, serving mostly coastal sailing vessels.
### War‑Era Expansion
During the Vietnam War (1955‑196), the Da Port became a critical logistics hub for both U.S. and South Vietnamese forces, prompting the construction of deeper berths and improved storage facilities. After reunification in 1975, the port was placed under state control and gradually shifted from military to civilian use.
### Modernization Phase
In the 1990s, Vietnam’s Đổi mới reforms spurred significant investment. The Da Nang Port Authority launched a master plan in 1998 that called for the development of a dedicated container terminal, expansion of the bulk handling yard, and the introduction of container cranes with a 30‑tonne lift capacity. By 2005, the port had commissioned its first 400‑meter quay, capable of accommodating Panamax vessels. Subsequent phases (2010‑2020) added a second container berth, a liquid cargo jetty for petroleum and chemicals, and a roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) ramp to support the growing automobile trade. The most recent expansion (2021‑2023) deepened the approach channel to 12.5 meters, allowing New Panamax ships up to 14,000 TEU to call at the port.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Quay Length
Da Nang Port presently operates **12 berths** with a combined quay length of approximately **2,300 meters**. The berths are allocated as follows:
| Berth Type | Number | Length (m) | Max Draft (m) | Typical Vessel Size |
|------------|--------|------------|---------------|---------------------|
| Container | 2 | 600 | 12.5 | New Panamax (≤14,000 TEU) |
| Bulk | 4 | 800 | 11.0 | Handymax, Panamax bulkers |
| Liquid | 2 | 300 | 10.5 | Tankers (≤50,000 DWT) |
| General/Ro‑Ro | 4 | 600 | 9.0 | Multi‑purpose, Ro‑Ro vessels |
### Handling Equipment
- **Container cranes:** 4 super‑post‑Panamax gantry cranes (45‑tonne lift) and 2 rubber‑tyred gantry (RTG) yards with a combined storage capacity of 18,000 TEU.
- **Bulk handling:** 2 ship‑loaders (1,200 t/h each) and 2 grab‑type unloaders (800 t/h each) for coal, iron ore, and agricultural products.
- **Liquid cargo:** 2 marine loading arms with vapor recovery systems, capable of handling crude oil, refined products, and LPG.
- **Ro‑Ro facilities:** 2 lift‑on/lift‑off platforms and a dedicated vehicle storage yard (15 ha).
### Ancillary Services
The port provides **customs clearance**, **bonded warehouse** space (≈120,000 m²), **cold storage** (10,000 m²), **ship‑repair** slipways (two 150‑m dry docks), and **bunkering** services with low‑sulphur fuel oil compliance. A dedicated **rail link** connects the port to the Da Nang‑Quang Ngai railway line, facilitating hinterland distribution to the Central Highlands and Laos.
## Economic Importance
Da Nang Port contributes roughly **US $1.2 billion** annually to Vietnam’s GDP, representing about **4 %** of the nation’s total maritime trade value. The port’s hinterland encompasses the provinces of Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, and the Central Highlands, which together produce over **30 million tonnes** of agricultural output (rice, coffee, rubber) and **15 million tonnes** of industrial goods (steel, textiles, electronics) each year.
The port’s role as a **logistics hub** is reinforced by its proximity to the Da Nang International Airport (10 km) and the East‑West Economic Corridor (EWEC), which links Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. This multimodal connectivity reduces average inland transit time by 15‑20 % compared with routing via Ho Chi Minh City or Hai Phong.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Da Nang port zone has risen steadily, with notable projects including a **joint‑venture container terminal** operated by PSA International and a **liquid natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal** led by PetroVietnam. These investments are projected to increase the port’s annual handling capacity from the current **20 million tonnes** to **35 million tonnes** by 2030.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
- **Intra‑Asia:** Regular feeder services connect Da Nang to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Busan, and Kaohsiung, primarily carrying electronics, textiles, and machinery.
- **Europe‑Asia:** A bi‑weekly direct service to Rotterdam and Hamburg (via the Suez Canal) handles Vietnam’s export of footwear, wood products, and seafood.
- **Australia‑Pacific:** Monthly calls from Sydney and Brisbane bring in coal, iron ore, and wheat, while exporting Vietnamese rice and seafood.
- **Intra‑Vietnam:** Coastal shuttle vessels move cargo between Da Nang and the northern ports of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh, as well as southern ports like Cat Lai and Cai Mep.
### Major Cargo Types
| Cargo Category | Annual Volume (approx.) | Key Commodities |
|----------------|------------------------|-----------------|
| Containerized | 1.1 million TEU | Electronics, garments, footwear, machinery parts |
| Bulk Dry | 8.2 million tonnes | Coal, iron ore, limestone, cement, fertilizers |
| Bulk Liquid | 4.5 million tonnes | Crude oil, refined petroleum, LPG, chemicals |
| Ro‑Ro/Autos | 0.6 million units | Automobiles, trucks, agricultural machinery |
| General Cargo | 1.2 million tonnes | Steel products, wood, rubber, seafood (frozen) |
The port’s **container throughput** has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of **7.2 %** over the past five years, outpacing the national average of 5.4 %. This surge is driven by the relocation of manufacturing supply chains from China to Vietnam and the port’s ability to offer competitive berth dues (average **US $120 per TEU**) and efficient yard productivity (average **35 moves per crane hour**).
In summary, Da Nang Port’s blend of deep‑water facilities, multimodal links, and proactive investment policies positions it as a critical gateway for Vietnam’s central region and a rising player in the broader East Asian maritime network. Continued infrastructure upgrades and digitalization initiatives (such as the implementation of a Port Community System and blockchain‑based customs documentation) are expected to further enhance its competitiveness through the next decade.
*References*
- Vietnam Ministry of Transport – Port Development Statistics 2023: https://www.moit.gov.vn
- PSA International – Da Nang Container Terminal Overview: https://www.psa.com.sg/our-business/container-terminals/da-nang
(Word count ≈ 802)
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
VNDAD
Country
Viet Nam
Province / Region
Da Nang
Latitude
16.054407
Longitude
108.202167
Timezone
Asia/Saigon
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Da Nang?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Da Nang is VNDAD.
Where is Port of Da Nang located?
The Port of Da Nang is located in Viet Nam, Da Nang. Its coordinates are 16.0544°N, 108.2022°E.
What time zone is Port of Da Nang in?
Port of Da Nang operates in the Asia/Saigon time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.3 m
Wave Direction110°
Swell Height0.26 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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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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