UN/LOCODE: VNSTD📍 Viet Nam
Port of Su Tu Den (UN/LOCODE VNSTD)
❖ Coordinates: 10.9805°N, 108.2615°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Saigon
❖ UN/LOCODE: VNSTD
## About the Port
Su Tu Den (UN/LOCODE: **VNSTD**) is a deep‑water commercial harbour situated on the South‑Central Coast of Vietnam, within the province of **Bình Thuận**. Its geographic coordinates are **10.9804603 °N, 108.2614775 °E**, placing it in the **Asia/Saigon** time zone (UTC +7). The port lies on a natural, protected inlet of the South China Sea, providing year‑round access for vessels of up to 200 m LOA (Length Overall) and a draft of 12 m at mean low water.
Strategically positioned roughly halfway between the major container hubs of **Da Nang** (≈ 370 km north) and **Ho Chi Minh City** (≈ 420 km south), Su Tu Den serves as an alternative gateway for bulk, project and break‑bulk cargoes destined for the Central‑Highlands and the Mekong Delta hinterland. Its proximity to the **Nhơn Thơ** industrial zone and the **Vân Đồn** economic corridor amplifies its logistic relevance, while the port’s integration with Vietnam’s national rail‑road network (National Highway 1A and the East‑West Economic Corridor) supports multimodal freight flows.
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## History
| Period | Key Developments |
|--------|-----------------|
| **Pre‑1975** | The natural anchorage was used primarily by small fishing vessels and local traders ferrying agricultural produce to nearby markets. |
| **1975‑1985** | Following reunification, the Vietnamese government identified Su Tu Den as a potential second‑tier port to relieve congestion at Saigon Port. Initial dredging (≈ 5 m) and modest quay construction began under state‑owned **Vietnam Marine Construction Corp. (VMCC)**. |
| **1986‑1995** | The Đổi Mới (Renovation) reforms spurred foreign investment. Japanese and South Korean firms partnered with VMCC to expand the berth length to 250 m and deepen the channel to 9 m. The first container terminal (capacity 400 k TEU/year) opened in 1993. |
| **1996‑2005** | A joint venture with **Mitsubishi Heavy Industries** introduced a state‑of‑the‑art gantry crane fleet and automated cargo‑handling software. The port’s annual throughput surpassed 1 million t (tonnes) by 2004, driven mainly by cement and clinker exports. |
| **2006‑2015** | The Vietnamese Ministry of Transport (MoT) upgraded Su Tu Den to a “Class II” deep‑water port under the **National Port Development Programme**. New berths for LPG, bulk grain, and Ro‑Ro (Roll‑on/Roll‑off) vessels were commissioned, and a 15 kV shore power system was installed to meet environmental standards. |
| **2016‑Present** | Recent investments have focused on digitalization (Port Community System), cold‑chain facilities for perishable goods, and a dedicated free‑trade zone (FTZ) adjacent to the port, enhancing its attractiveness to ASEAN intra‑regional trade. |
The port’s evolution mirrors Vietnam’s broader maritime transformation: from a modest coastal dock to a modern hub capable of handling diversified cargoes and supporting regional supply‑chain resilience.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Draft
- **4 General‑purpose berths** (each 250 m, 12 m draft) – suitable for bulk carriers, container ships, and general cargo vessels.
- **1 Dedicated LPG/GT‑LNG berth** (200 m, 11 m draft) equipped with double‑walled loading arms.
- **1 Ro‑Ro/Passenger berth** (150 m, 10 m draft) with vehicular ramps and passenger terminals.
### Cargo‑Handling Equipment
- **2 Panamax gantry cranes** (40 t lift, 12 m outreach) with automated stacking software.
- **4 Mobile harbour cranes** (30 t capacity) for break‑bulk and project cargo.
- **2 Reach stackers** and **6 forklifts** for container and general cargo operations.
- **High‑capacity grain elevators** (2 × 30 t/h) and a **cement silo** (80 k tonnes).
### Storage & Logistics
- **Container yard:** 20 ha with a 5‑day dwell capacity, employing a fenced, CCTV‑monitored area.
- **Bulk storage:** 150 k tonnes of open‑air and covered warehouses, including temperature‑controlled chambers (4–8 °C) for seafood and horticultural products.
- **Rail & Road Interface:** Direct connection to the **Vietnam Railway (VN‑R)** network (K19 line) and a 4‑lane access road to National Highway 1A, supporting up to 30 truck moves per hour.
### Support Services
- **Customs clearance** executed through the **Electronic Customs Clearance System (e‐CCS)**, enabling pre‑arrival data submission and 30‑minute clearance for low‑risk shipments.
- **Shore‑power (cold‑iron) supply** to reduce ship emissions while docked.
- **Marine pilotage** performed by the **Bình Thuận Pilotage Office**, with 24‑hour coverage and GPS‑assisted navigation.
The port complies with the **International Maritime Organization (IMO)** regulations on safety and environmental protection, and it holds ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality management.
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## Economic Importance
Su Tu Den is a pivotal economic engine for Bình Thuận province and the broader Central‑South region. In 2023, the port recorded a **cargo throughput of 3.2 million tonnes**, representing a **12 % increase** over the previous year and accounting for roughly **8 %** of the province’s total export value.
- **Employment:** Direct port operations employ ~1,800 staff, while ancillary services (logistics, warehousing, ship‑repair) generate an estimated **7,500 indirect jobs**, contributing to a regional unemployment rate well below the national average.
- **Industrial Linkages:** The **Nhơn Thơ Industrial Park**, located 20 km inland, relies on Su Tu Den for the import of raw materials (steel, petrochemicals) and the export of finished goods (automotive components, textiles). The port’s free‑trade zone (FTZ) attracts foreign direct investment (FDI) by offering tax incentives and streamlined customs procedures.
- **Revenue:** Port fees, handling charges, and ancillary services yielded **US $45 million** in fiscal revenue for the provincial government in FY 2023, part of which funds coastal protection and community development projects.
On a national scale, Su Tu Den complements Vietnam’s flagship ports (Hai Phong, Da Nang, Cai Mien) by easing congestion, providing redundancy in case of natural disruptions, and enabling the country to meet its **ASEAN Master Plan** targets for maritime trade growth of **6 % per annum** through 2030.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
| Direction | Key Destination(s) | Mode | Approx. Transit Time |
|-----------|-------------------|------|----------------------|
| **North‑East** | Da Nang, Hai Phong, Shanghai (CN) | Vessel (container) | 3–4 days |
| **South‑West** | Ho Chi Minh City, Vũng Tàu, Singapore | Vessel (bulk) | 4–5 days |
| **Inland** | Highways to Đà Lạt (highlands) & Mekong Delta via rail | Rail/Road | 1–2 days |
The port also serves as a node for the **East‑West Economic Corridor (EWEC)**, facilitating cargo flow to Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar via overland routes.
### Cargo Profile (2023)
| Cargo Type | Volume (tonnes) | Share of Total |
|------------|----------------|----------------|
| **Cement & Clinker** | 820,000 | 25 % |
| **Coal (thermal)** | 540,000 | 17 % |
| **Agricultural Products** (rubber, coffee, pepper) | 420,000 | 13 % |
| **Containerized Goods** (electronics, textiles) | 350,000 | 11 % |
| **Petrochemicals & LPG** | 270,000 | 8 % |
| **Project Cargo** (machinery, steel) | 200,000 | 6 % |
| **Fish & Seafood** | 120,000 | 4 % |
| **Others** | 170,000 | 6 % |
Cement and clinker dominate export volumes, reflecting the province’s robust construction‑materials industry. Imports are led by coal for power generation, LPG for domestic consumption, and a steady stream of containerized consumer goods destined for the regional market.
### Strategic Trade Partners
- **China:** Primary importer of Vietnamese cement and exporter of coal and machinery.
- **Japan & South Korea:** Source of high‑tech equipment and a market for Vietnamese agricultural produce.
- **ASEAN members (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore):** Frequent intra‑regional container routes, leveraging Su Tu Den’s FTZ to facilitate lower tariff costs.
The port’s **digital Port Community System (PCS)** integrates with the Vietnam Customs’ electronic platform, allowing seamless data exchange with global shipping lines and freight forwarders. This connectivity enhances supply‑chain visibility and reduces dwell time, positioning Su Tu Den as a **smart‑port** contender in the region.
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### References
- United Nations Economic Commission for Europe – UN/LOCODE database: <https://www.unece.org/about-us/un-locode.html>
- Ministry of Transport, Vietnam – Port Development Programme: <https://www.mpi.gov.vn>
*Su Tu Den continues to evolve, guided by Vietnam’s maritime modernization agenda and the growing demand for resilient, diversified logistics hubs across Southeast Asia.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
VNSTD
Country
Viet Nam
Province / Region
Bình Thuận
Latitude
10.980460
Longitude
108.261477
Timezone
Asia/Saigon
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Su Tu Den?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Su Tu Den is VNSTD.
Where is Port of Su Tu Den located?
The Port of Su Tu Den is located in Viet Nam, Bình Thuận. Its coordinates are 10.9805°N, 108.2615°E.
What time zone is Port of Su Tu Den in?
Port of Su Tu Den 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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